We might have said that differently. By this shall men know that you belong to Jesus if …’You carry a big Bible, you attend the right church, you say the right prayers, you sign the right doctrinal statement, you go to the right schools, you cut your hair the right way, you dress and act like other Christians.’

But Jesus said the one way to spot His disciples is by the way they love one another. The gospel changes the heart and a changed heart always leads to changed relationships.

Have you ever considered the many “one another’s” statements of the New Testament? There are dozens of them. Here are a few: Bear one another’s burden (Gal. 6:2); Build up one another (Rom. 14:19); Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14); Forgive one another (Col. 3:13); Comfort one another (I Thes. 4:18); Pray for one another (James 5:16); Confess to one another (James 5:16); Teach one another (Col. 3:16); Greet one another (Rom. 16:16); Accept one another (Rom. 15:7); Encourage one another (I Thess. 5:11); Give preference to one another (Rom. 12:10); Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10); Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32); Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21); Serve one another (Gal. 5:13).

And there are many others we might list. All of these “one another” passages are but reflections and amplifications of the great command given by our Lord Himself—love one another. Are these true of us? Or, the other way around – choosing to serve ourselves? If we choose self-indulgence, we risk destroying our friendships and tearing apart the family of God.

It is the lack of love that causes men to hate their parents, commit murder, commit adultery, steal, lie and covet. It is the lack of love that leads to bitterness, anger, threats, and to verbal and physical abuse.  It is the lack of love—and the presence of self-centered egotism—that leads to pushing others around, demanding your own way, arguing over minor issues, and dividing the body of Christ.  If we truly loved our neighbor, those sins would be impossible. Where God’s love reigns, sin cannot abide.

When we bicker and quarrel, we inevitably harm the cause of Christ. Our bitter arguments eventually become more important than Jesus. When this happens, it confirms the criticism of skeptics that the church is full of hypocrites. They cause the enemies of the gospel to rejoice. They send the message to the world, “God loves you but we hate each other.” In the end, these things destroy the church of God. Hatred and envy and power plays and vicious words and insisting on your own way—these things harm God’s church. There can be NO VICTORY.

Beloved, this should not be! Repent if you’re convicted! The cause of Christ is far more important than our own petty issues! There are more important things in the light of eternity than your own temporal comfort. JESUS, PURIFY YOUR BRIDE!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Please pray for Ptr. Jo and the technical team as they travelled to Iloilo to meet with the pastors for a possible H4U Concert in Iloilo.  Ptr Jo is also  preaching at CC Iloilo this Sunday.

YOUTH CAMP 2012 starts TODAY! Pray for a fruitful camp! To all YOUTH CAMPERS —

• Assembly time is 1:00 pm here at CCD
• Please drop by at the church so we can check you off the list.

To all PARENTS of campers —

• You are invited to watch the Talent Offering on Friday, May 25 at 7 pm.
• You are allowed to come and get laundry only during mealtime.
• Please refrain from visiting the camp.  Cell # of Glen & Abba are provided at the church office.

THAI MISSIONS 2012 is coming up on May 31-June 11. Pray for a fruitful time of ministry and outreach, and encouragement to our missionaries.

• THAI MISSIONS 2012 T-shirt — last day to order tshirts is today. Proceeds will go to our Missions Fund. Please pay as you order.  We also ask those who ordered t-shirts the previous Sundays to make payments today so we can get our orders from the printer.
• MISSIONS DINNER and ACOUSTIC NIGHT on May 27 at 6:30 pm.  It’s a dinner fundraising night of acoustic music and prayer. Tickets are now available at P200.  Space is limited. Please approach the Missions Table at the back after the service. Last day to buy tickets is this Thursday.

LOST AND FOUND items from KIDS CAMP—please claim your belongings at the back after the service.

FYI: We are in the process of providing Handicap Parking Area in front of the church.  We do not know the date yet when it will be available.  Thank you for your patience.

In verse 8, Paul goes on to describe the extent of a mother’s love: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

Mothers make an investment in their children that fathers never understand. We dads come and go, but mothers are the ones who give themselves completely for their children. Sometimes we hear women talking about choosing between their children and their careers. But that’s a mistake. If you are a mother, your children are your career. Someone else can do your job and someone else can win that case or close that deal or teach your classes or do whatever it is you do on the job, but no one can raise your children. Mothers are quite simply irreplaceable.

If you are a mother, your greatest contribution will be the children you raise for the Lord. Please don’t mistake that as a statement about working part-time or full-time or in the home or outside the home. Just remember that your children (especially while they are young) are your career. Don’t let the world suck you into its mold by making you feel “unfulfilled” if you are “just a mother.” Motherhood is a high, holy and most noble calling.

When I became a Christian, other than the angels in heaven rejoicing, so was my grandmother. Why? Because she had been praying for me to get saved…for years! And the Lord answered her prayers. How many of us had a praying grandmother? How many of us had a praying mother? How many of us had a praying aunt? How many of us had a praying sister?

There are godly mothers and grandmothers who have prayed their children all the way to Jesus. And some of them are praying their children and grandchildren to Jesus at this very moment but the kids haven’t found out about it yet. Thank God for women of faith. Their prayers have changed the world!

A JOY-FILLED MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL MOMS! WE THANK GOD FOR YOU!

Announcement:

YOUTH CAMP 2012 is this May 20-26! Inviting all high school and college students!

• Theme:  First Love  (Mark 12:30)
• Venue: Calinawagan Beach House
• Registration Fee: P1800 (includes camp t-shirt)
• Today is the last day to register.
• If you want to sponsor a youth please approach the Youth Table.
• Church, especially parents, support the youth through prayer and in their fundraising activities.

Continue praying for our THAI MISSIONS 2012  slated May 31-June 11. Pray for a fruitful time of ministry and outreach, and encouragement to our missionaries.

• THAI MISSIONS 2012 Tshirt is now avaible at P250 each!  Order yours now after the service at the Missions table. Proceeds will go to our Missions Fund. Please pay as you order.  We also ask those who ordered tshirts the previous Sundays to make payments today so we can get our orders from the printer.
• MISSIONS DINNER and ACOUSTIC NIGHT on May 27 at 6:30 pm.  It’s a dinner fundraising night of acoustic music and prayer. For those who made reservations, tickets are now available at P200.  Space is limited. Please approach the Missions Table at the back after the service.

For those who ordered the previous Calvary Chapel Dumaguete T-shirts, it is already available at the back table after the service.  Thank you for your patience.

Letting go. A not-so easy thing for many of us to do. Why? Because we want to be in total control. But are we really? Understand how little control we actually have in the world. You don’t believe this?

Letting go. A not-so easy thing for many of us to do.

Did you control the day you were born? Did you control who your parents were? I did not control where I was born! I did not control the color of my skin, eyes and hair. I will not control when and where I step into eternity. I cannot control other drivers on the road. I cannot control what other people think about me. I cannot control my children’s future.  (I can try to direct it…but I can’t control it!) I cannot control the weather. I cannot control whether or not someone I know and loves prays to trust in Christ as savior. I cannot control the fact that my body is breaking down (I heal/repair MUCH slower at 44 than I did at 20!) I cannot control God by my religious performance.

In fact, if I can control anything…then the very thing I can control is so small and insignificant that it would hardly register on the eternal scale in regards to things that actually matter. However, this is not to discourage you…this is to encourage you. How?

So…to everyone who feels like you are out of control…it’s because YOU ARE!!!

Freedom, TRUE freedom, is understanding how out of control we are and then placing our faith in a God who has NEVER ceased to maintain control over what He has created. God has the amazing ability to use all things for His glory and our good!  No one else can do that!

So…to everyone who feels like you are out of control…it’s because YOU ARE!!!  And, the more we try to control the more likely we are to live in complete rebellion to the One who is in control, who has all things in His hands and who constantly calls us to surrender to Him – so that we can experience the joy of living under HIS Sovereignty rather than having to constantly discover that we have none of our own!

If there is an area of your life that is completely out of control…it is most likely the Lord trying to get your attention and get you to surrender control…because until He is in control we will be out of control.

Control…we have very insignificant few, He has it all…so surrender all…and in His hand is THE BEST place to be!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

YOUTH CAMP 2012 is this May 20-26! Inviting all high school and college students!

• Theme:  First Love  (Mark 12:30)
• Venue: Calinawagan Beach House
• Registration Fee: P1800 (includes camp t-shirt)
• Last day to register is next Sunday, May 13.
• Only 10 slots available.
• If you want to sponsor a youth please approach the Youth Table.
• Church, especially parents, support the youth through prayer and in their fundraising activities.

Continue praying for our THAI MISSIONS 2012  slated May 31-June 11. Pray for a fruitful time of ministry and outreach, and encouragement to our missionaries.

• THAI MISSIONS 2012 Tshirt is now avaible at P250 each!  Order yours now after the service at the Missions table.  Proceeds will go to our Missions Fund.
• MISSIONS DINNER and ACOUSTIC NIGHT on May 27 at 6:30 pm.  It’s a dinner fundraising night of acoustic music and prayer. Tickets are now available at P200.  Space is limited. Please approach the Missions Table at the back after the service.

For those who ordered the previous CCD T-shirts, it is already available at the back table after the service.  Thank you for your patience.

Here’s an important reminder for all of us. Col.1:28-29 – “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

Three things: 1) Our goal is to present everyone perfect (mature) in Christ. Don’t deviate from that. 2) It is hard work. Christians who want to serve but avoids hardship and only think of comfort does not understand true service. Serving, most of the time demands a lot of our time and sacrifices that sometimes our own family becomes our first critic! They simply don’t understand. I’m not talking about neglecting your family due to your busyness in the ministry (I’m for a balance ministry), but what I mean is that there are seasons in the ministry that would require more of our time and effort. (For ex. Our summer activities – it’s seasonal – Kids Camp, Pastors’ Conference, Youth Camp).

It’s an exhausting assignment.  There’s something about giving yourself in a spiritual ministry to somebody else that’s draining of spiritual and physical strength. And this brings us to the 3^rd point: God gives power for the willing and available! God gives power to those who are willing to sacrifice their time, talents and gifts for the sake of others.

Here’s the key to service: We’re not to do it in our own strength for His power is available. Paul surrendered his availability to God’s ability. All the energy that we can muster cannot equal what God can do through us. We are effective only when we function in God’s strength.

Are you running on empty? His source of power is inexhaustible. My physical and emotional reserves run low very easily. But it’s the Lord Himself who is committed to this responsibility, and it’s not my energy or my internal reservoirs of strength that count. It’s His presence, His authority, His power that overcome my resistance to ministry opportunities, my fear, my weariness,  my depression, my boredom, my weakness. Christ is our hope of glory, our power and strength and energy.

The work of salvation is “all of Christ and none of me” but in order to live out my purpose it must be “all of Christ and all of me.” This is another mystery that God would choose to use you and me, in spite of our weaknesses, in order to help people become mature in Christ.

Be available and Jesus will fill you; be willing and He will use you…It’s not easy but it’s fulfilling…it’s not our strength but His…and I guarantee you…you will grow up and mature as you help others grow up and mature! This is how we demonstrate if Jesus is indeed Lord of our lives!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

TREASURE QUEST KIDS CAMP 2012 this May 3-5.  If your kid is from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and is  attending regularly in Sunday School, then you can let him/her join.

• Registration Fee: P700
• If you desire to sponsor a child for the Kids’ Camp, please approach the Sunday School table at the back.
• Venue: Calinawagan Beach House near  Zamboangita– Dauin border.
• TODAY is the last day of payment for registration.

YOUTH CAMP 2012 is fast approaching! Inviting all high school and college students!

• This will be on May 20-26 (six days)
• Theme:  First Love  (Mark 12:30)
• Venue: Calinawagan Beach House
• Registration Fee: P1800 (includes camp t-shirt)
• Last day to register is May 13.

Church, especially parents, support the youth through prayer and in their fundraising activities.

Start praying for our THAI MISSIONS 2012  slated May 31-June 11. Pray for a fruitful time of ministry and outreach, and encouragement to our missionaries.

THAI MISSIONS 2012 Tshirt is now avaible at P250 each!  Order yours now after the service at the Missions table.  Proceeds will go to our Missions Fund.

For those who ordered the previous CCD T-shirts, it is already available at the back table after the service.  Thank you for your patience.

FYI: The CCD office will be closed this Tuesday, May 1st. There will also be no Prayer Meeting on that day.  Prayer Meeting resumes May 8.

Though having a great job and living in a nice environment, when he heard that Jerusalem was still in turmoil he was moved to tears. And he was moved to action. Nehemiah’s choice revealed four keys to successful life and ministry.

1) PRAYER – Nehemiah was known as a man of prayer. In fact after hearing the news about the troubles in Jerusalem, he prayed. His first resort was prayer. Instead of sitting down and start planning what to do to fix the problem, he prayed. When you hear of problems what’s your first resort? Run off to fix it or pray? Let me ask you, what walls have been torn down in your family? Get prepared for future action through prayer. Get the mind of the Lord first. We’re better off when we pray first and seek the Lord.

2) PLAN – After praying and receiving inspiration from God, then plan and prepare – After leaving Babylon for Jerusalem, Nehemiah didn’t immediately crank up his power tools and get to work on the walls. He took time to examine the situation – (READ Neh. 2:11-13). Nehemiah examined two things: the condition of the walls and the condition of the people. When we begin a work for God, we should examine ourselves, our motives, and the work itself. This will help us avoid spending time in meaningless, unproductive activity.

3) COOPERATION – Though God spoke to Nehemiah, no one person could ever accomplish the task alone. It wasn’t a one-man ministry. Everyone pitched in and did his part. In fact, 42 groups of people worked diligently together to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 3). Coming alongside others helps spread the workload.

4. DETERMINATION – Israel had enemies intent on sabotaging the work. But Nehemiah was determined (Read: Neh. 2:20). Whenever you get involved in God’s work, expect to be hassled! The antidote? Keep working and trust God with the results.

God accomplished the task, but He used, as He generally does, flesh and blood people like us to do His great work. These people were not superheroes, they were people much like we are, with their own sets of problems and trials and doubts and sins and strengths and weaknesses. But one thing which can be said strongly in their favor: they were fueled by a godly determination! Led by the bold and courageous Nehemiah, they had what it took to cross the finish line!

When we serve God, we need to have the same kind of perseverance and determination – that stick-to-it-ness that Nehemiah and the workers had. Focus upon God and the vision and calling He has given us. Don’t get sidetracked. Stay focus. Stay undistracted and you will see His hand accomplish His work in and through you!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

AHOY! The Sunday School Kids are invited to a TREASURE QUEST KIDS CAMP 2012 on May 3-5.  If your kid is from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and is  attending regularly in Sunday School, then you can let him/her join.

• Registration Fee: P700
• If you desire to sponsor a child for the Kids’ Camp, please approach the Sunday School table at the back.
• Venue: Calinawagan Beach House near

Zamboangita– Dauin border.

• TODAY, April 22, is the last day of registration .
• Last day of payment for the registration fee is on April 29.
• Please fill up the regristration forms at the back after the service.

YOUTH CAMP 2012 is fast approaching! Inviting all college and high school students to start praying to be able to join this year’s Youth Camp. Church, especially parents, support us through prayer and in our fundraising activities.  Register at the youth table at the back.

Start praying for our THAI MISSIONS 2012  slated May 31-June 11. Pray for a fruitful time of ministry and outreach, and encouragement to our missionaries.

FOR VISAYAN BULLETIN:

Parents of Sunday school kids who will join the Kids Camp, please see Ate Nida after the service.

Here’s an important truth about facing trials – even in our darkest valleys, our darkest days, God is there. David wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

You will never go through a valley in life by yourself. You will never go through a dark day alone. God has said, “I will be with you.” Isa. 43:2 “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you.” You’re not going to drown, burn up, die — God says I am with you. He will be with you every step in the valley. I know that sounds cliché but that’s the truth. Even though we may not “feel” Him and our sight is dim to His presence, He is there! God does not set up in heaven, looking down on you saying, “I sure hope they make it!” He’s there with you in the valley, walking with you, hand in hand. God says, I will lead you through this.

David says, “You are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” It’s the valleys of life that bring us face to face with God. All of a sudden the ultimate becomes the intimate. When I’m going through the valley I don’t want to talk about God, I want to talk to God. Religion becomes a relationship. Any mature believer will tell you that the times they have been closest to God were in those face to face encounters that happen only in the valley.

When you’re in the valley and you’re spent, depleted, perplexed, in despair and you’re talking directly to God, He becomes real and God says, “I’m with you. You’re not in this by yourself.” We enjoy the mountaintops but we come face to face with God in the valleys of life. He’ll never be closer than when you’re in the valley. And the God of the valleys will be your strength!

Announcement:

AHOY! The Sunday School Kids are invited to a TREASURE QUEST KIDS CAMP 2012 on May 3-5.  If your kid is from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and is  attending regularly in Sunday School, then you can let him/her join.

Registration Fee: P700

If you desire to sponsor a child for the Kids’ Camp, please approach the Sunday School table at the back.

Venue: Calinawagan Beach House near

Zamboangita– Dauin border.

YOUTH CAMP 2012 is fast approaching! Inviting all college and high school students to start praying to be able to join this year’s Youth Camp. Church, especially parents, support us through prayer and in our fundraising activities.

FRIDAY NIGHT REHAB— Bible topical discussions on DYSR 95.1 Killerbee FM every Fridays at 9 pm—11 pm hosted by Noel Valente, Cyril Polino, and Gus Ganir. Listen, learn and enjoy! Also, invite your family, relatives, and friends to tune in!

PRAY for our UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS:

CC Pastors & Wives Conference—April 17-19

Kids’ Camp—May 3-5

Youth Camp—May 20-26

The other day a bee came inside our room and I was worried that it might sting my son Shem as he sits there playing a computer game. As I was about to shoo it away, it just left.

Anyway, I once heard about a mother who took her two children to a park on a summer day. She had an older son and a younger daughter, and they were enjoying a picnic. Suddenly a bumblebee flew up and landed on the son’s arm. As he brushed it away, it stung him. He began to cry because of the pain.

The bee was still buzzing around and his little sister was terrified. She started screaming in fear. After putting a wet cloth on her son’s arm, the mother took her daughter in her arms she said, “Sweetheart, settle down. Don’t worry.” She removed the wet cloth from her son’s arm and said, “Look at your brother’s arm. Do you see that little black stinger? A bee can only sting once because he leaves his stinger when he stings someone. That old bee can buzz you and bother you, but he can’t sting you because your brother already took the stinger.”

That’s a beautiful picture of what Jesus did for us. Jesus took the sting of death in His body. Since the resurrection, death can buzz you and bother you, but Praise God, it can’t sting you! Jesus took the sting for us!

JESUS FOREVER LIVES! HE REIGNS! HOPE ALIVE! FORGIVENESS FREELY GIVEN! LIFE ETERNAL PROMISED! ALL BECAUSE HE DIED AND HE LIVES AGAIN!

1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 24:34). This shows that Jesus was thinking of others until the end of His life. Even while experiencing the horrible pain of crucifixion, He was praying for the very people who caused His suffering. He came to earth for the purpose of forgiving sinners and He loved them and forgave them up until the end. It was because of man’s sin that He was on the cross—suffering on behalf of that sin.

2. “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Not only did Jesus forgive those who crucified Him, He also forgave one of the thieves crucified next to Him. When the thieves were put on the cross both of them cursed Jesus but, as time elapsed, one of the thieves had a change of heart. It was at this juncture that Jesus made His second statement from the cross promising to forgive the repentant thief and promising heaven!

3. “Woman, behold your Son” (John 19:26). As Jesus continued to suffer on the cross His mind was still upon others. He saw His mother standing near the Apostle John and said, “Woman, behold your son.” He then looked at John and said, “Behold your mother!” By doing this He was entrusting the care of His mother to John.

The law required the firstborn son to take care of his parents, and Jesus was obeying the law of God up until the end. He honored and obeyed the law throughout His life and He also honored the law while suffering His death.

4. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). This is probably the most difficult for us to understand. The sinless Son of God who had been, from all eternity, in an intimate relationship with His Father, is now separated from Him. When the sins of the world were put upon Jesus there was, for the first time, a separation between the Father and the Son. The Bible records something happened between them that we can only understand through the eyes of faith. That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

5. “I Am thirsty” (John 19:28). This reminds us again that He suffered as a human being. He lived as a man and suffered as a man in order that He could identify with suffering humanity. From this statement we observe that Jesus suffered the full physical effect of crucifixion. There was no easing up, for the weight of our sins was placed upon Him.

6. “It is finished” (John 19:30). This was a cry of victory. “It is finished.” What was finished? The work of man’s salvation is finished. What we cannot do He did; what we cannot pay, He paid for us!

7. “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Everything had been completed and now it was time to dismiss His spirit. Jesus had previously made the statement that He would willingly lay down His life for His sheep (John 10:17,18)…and HE DID!

So, before you head to that beach, or before you run to that vacation house, or however you spend your Holy week break, MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS AND OFFER HIM WORSHIP AND THANKS!

Announcement:

RESURRECTION SUNRISE SERVICE next Sunday,  April 8 at 5:00 am at the Freedom Park.  No services (English and Visayan) will be held here in Motong on that day.

AHOY! The Sunday School Kids are invited to a TREASURE QUEST KIDS CAMP 2012 on May 3-5.  If your kid is from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and is  attending regularly in Sunday School, then you can let him/her join.

• Registration Fee: P700
• Registration starts today, April 1. Please approach the Sunday School table at the back.
• Venue: Calinawagan Beach House in Zamboangita.

FRIDAY NIGHT REHAB— Bible topical discussions on DYSR 95.1 Killerbee FM every Fridays at 9 pm—11 pm hosted by Noel Valente, Cyril Polino, and Gus Ganir. Listen, learn and enjoy! Also, invite your family, relatives, and friends to tune in!

Watch HOPE FOR YOU TV featuring “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel every Sunday night at Skycable Channel 15 (or 17), 7:00 pm. Our regular bible studies are aired every night Mondays till Saturdays from 7 pm—8 pm.

PRAY for our UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS:

• Resurrection Sunrise Service—April 8
• CC Pastors & Wives Conference—April 17-19
• Kids’ Camp—May 3-5
• Youth Camp—May 20-26

For those who are skilled and gifted in building websites, we need volunteers to maintain or upgrade our current website. For those who are interested, please approach Janice.

This is the response of a man who had the right perspective concerning earthly possessions. He knew who was in control of his life and he trusted God to completely provide for his needs. How many of us would respond to tragedy like Wesley did? So often, when things don’t go the way we planned, we have just the opposite reaction. When tragedy strikes, we turn on God as if we’ve been slapped in the face, asking why He would allow something as devastating as the loss of property, health, or a loved one. In our wrong thinking, we focus on God taking something from us. But I believe this response comes from the inaccurate idea that we are entitled to our possessions.

This could not be further from the truth. Paul reminded the Corinthians that everything they had came from the Lord: “What do you have that you did not receive? (1 Cor. 4:7).” You see, the Christian world-view is much different than those who don’t believe – everything is a gift from above and ultimately belongs to God. In His grace, He allows us to be stewards of earthly possessions.

Jesus got to the heart of the matter in Matthew when He said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24).” This is the problem: we either have money or money has us. If we have money, we use it in ways that honor God and bring Him glory. But if money has us, we tend to cling to it tightly and become miserly with our worldly possessions, allowing worry and discontent to rule in our lives. This is nothing less than disbelief in God’s provision.

As the Great Provider, God knows your needs and is more than able to provide for you. If everything belongs to God, will He not share what He has with His children? Jesus asked a rhetorical question of His followers: “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? (Luke 11:11).” The implied answer is, “Of course not!” Good fathers give good gifts. And God the Father, has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

So, the next time you start thinking God has taken something away from you, try remembering how many things God has given to you. He has given you life, He has given you significant relationships, and most importantly, through His Son, He has given you eternal life. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Announcement:

AHOY! The Sunday School Kids are invited to a TREASURE QUEST KIDS CAMP 2012 on May 3-5.  If your kid is from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and is  attending regularly in Sunday School, then you can let him/her join.

• Registration Fee: P700
• Venue: Calinawagan Beach House in

Zamboangita.

For those who are skilled and gifted in building websites, we need volunteers to maintain or upgrade our current website. For those who are interested, please approach Janice.

RESURRECTION SUNRISE SERVICE on April 8 at 5:00 am at the Freedom Park.  No services (English and Visayan) will be held here in Motong on that day.

Start praying for our UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS:

• Resurrection Sunrise Service—April 8
• CC Pastors & Wives Conference—April 17-19
• Kids’ Camp—May 3-5
• Youth Camp—May 20-26

Watch HOPE FOR YOU TV featuring “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel every Sunday night at Skycable Channel 15 (or 17), 7:00 pm. Our regular bible studies are aired every night Mondays till Saturdays from 7 pm—8 pm.

To the College students (and to the parents’ wallet also!) there’s always that feeling of relief and a feeling of release! All the time, energy and money spent will culminate in graduation day. Alas! Whew! They’re not a waste after all. Praise God! Another chapter of their life is done and another chapter will be written.

“What’s next?” is the big question. Some might have the idea already but many may still be standing on the crossroads of life wondering which way to take. Listen: there are forks on the road. Crossroads. Thus, there are two ways: The way of life and the way of death. The path to life, and the path to death.

This is the image: You are walking down a trail, and come to a fork. Ahead of you are two ways, two roads, two paths. One looks attractive: the way is sunny, easy, and smooth. The other looks difficult: storm clouds gather in that direction; there is a steep climb in the first half mile; the path narrows and looks treacherous. You cannot see far down either path. Each path bends after a half mile or so, and you can see no farther. Which do you choose?

Surely the temptation is to choose the path that looks easy at the beginning. But where do the paths lead? What is around the corner? What if there are snakes there waiting to bite you? You might be thinking, “But Pastor, if I come to a fork like that, I’ll explore the easy path first, and then turn back if it turns out to be dangerous. What’s the problem with that?” The problem with that is how do you know you will be able to turn back?

Beloved, all humanity is divided into two: those who take the path of life and those who take the path of death. Every day we are standing at the fork in the road. God’s Word tells us the end result of each path. Which will you take? Think! Look ahead! Don’t just look at the immediate return! God’s Word says, “Pursue your greatest joy! Don’t do something you will regret for all eternity! Look beyond the short run! True joy, true delight is found in the way of life – not in the way of death!

God’s Word protects us from making major wrong decisions in life. I think of how much heartache and pain we could avoid if we would only accept the heavenly wisdom from God. There are so many life lessons that we learn through our mistakes and mess ups. But as a loving Father, God wants to shield us from avoidable pitfalls in life. He knows what will happen when we make poor choices and He wants to protect us.

So walk straight, sight steady on the Lord Jesus, choose to do His will…for there’s no other safe way to take!

Announcement:

Watch HOPE FOR YOU TV featuring “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel every Sunday night at Skycable Channel 15 (or 17), 7:00 pm. Our regular bible studies are aired every night Mondays till Saturdays from 7 pm—8 pm.

THAILAND MISSION TEAM 2012 TRAINING starts this Monday, March 19 at 7 pm here at CCD.  This is also open to anyone who wants to sit-in.

RESURRECTION SUNRISE SERVICE on April 8 at 5:00 am at the Freedom Park.  No services (English and Visayan) will be held here in Motong on that day.

Start praying for our UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS:

Resurrection Sunrise Service—April 8

CC Pastors & Wives Conference—April 17-19

Kids’ Camp—May 3-5

Youth Camp—May 20-26

In response, Senator Santiago—who has a master’s degree in theology—has released a statement in reponse to Arevalo’s pronouncement. Santiago pointed out: “Under [the Second Vatican Council], there is no hell; but even if there is, there is nobody there.  Unfortunately, some of the religious refuse to accept the changes started by Vatican 2.” Santiago clarified that according to theology, hell is not a geographical place but is “a metaphor for distance from God.”

No doubt that Miriam Santiago is a very brilliant lady (her command of the Law was mesmerizing), an accomplished judge and an excellent senator. But she was wrong about the afterlife. She was in error on the subject of hell. And not surprisingly for her source is the Vatican Council and NOT the Holy Scriptures! There is a literal hell and not just a metaphor for distance from God. In fact Jesus spoke of hell more than heaven. He mentioned Hell 56 times in the Gospels and only mentioned Heaven 24 times. Why do you think so? Because, 1) It is real and 2) He doesn’t want people to go there.

Sometimes the question is raised “How could a loving God send some people to Hell?” I do not have enough space to cover that question extensively but let me point out the error and inconsistency of the question itself. We don’t ask, “How could a good judge send a serial killer to the electric chair?” Why don’t we ask that question? The answer is because the judge is not the one responsible for him going to the electric chair, his own evil choices are! Hell is originally created for the devil and his angels. But when man follow the devil instead of God, hell became a place for those who reject Him. Now people may have their opinion on hell, and everyone is entitled to it, but when all is said and done, it’s NOT man’s opinion that will matter, it’s the Lord’s Word!

Now here’s where we come in – if we truly believe that there is a hell and there is a heaven, what are we doing with this truth? A study says that 3 people die every second. If this fact is true, then 180 people die every minute, 259,200 people die every day, 94,608,000 people die every year. Of the 7 billion people on earth today, experts also say that 2/3 of them have never heard the Gospel one time. If these percentages hold true, then 63,103,536 people die every year without ever hearing the Gospel one time! Some of these people are within our reach!

What are we doing with this information? If you had a cure for cancer, it would be a crime to withhold it! So, GO in His power, and rescue those who are heading to hell through the preaching of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ our Lord!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY WORKSHOP – a workshop on how to study through the Scriptures effectively and designed especially for pastors and church workers.

• Speaker: Ptr. Dan Finfrock
• Date: March 19 to 21, 2012
• 8:00 am registration on March 19 (tentative 9:00 am – 4:00 pm workshop proper)
• Registration Fee: P100/head, includes lunch, snacks and materials
• Venue: Calvary Chapel Training Center

Space is limited to 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. For reservation or information please call CCTC at 422-7775 and ask for Chona. And for more information, refer to the poster at the Admin Corner.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES – we are in need of more volunteers to teach in our children’s outreaches.  If you love kids and desire to be used by the Lord in children’s ministry, please approach Janice.

The Bible describes the heart as inner capacity through which God connects us to Himself in worship and relationship — or, my heart becomes the place where that relationship can be betrayed. That happens when the heart is drawn away from Him. Yes the Bible has warned us many times that the heart can get turned and move us toward sin, and we’ll end up bowing to illegitimate altars.

Have you seen a clogged water-pipe, or a clogged sink? You see, all physical systems, over time, accumulate debris. It’s a sad fact of life. They get cluttered, and clogged, and congested, and that hinders the operation of the system. The same principle applies to other, non-physical, types of systems. Marriage relationships, for example, can become clogged with unresolved conflicts and un-forgiven offenses.

Beloved, if we’re not careful, our hearts can get cluttered up with the debris of sin. Our minds and hearts can be filled with the deposits of ungodly beliefs and attitudes. And that hinders our relationship with God. It hinders our fellowship with one another. It hinders our ability to experience joy, and peace, and power in the Christian life.  And what’s really tragic – even a bit frightening – is that we probably won’t even realize that it’s happening.

What am I saying? That when one falls away from walking with Christ, it’s usually a gradual process. Little by little, their taste for spiritual things diminishes. They lose desire for holiness, their zest for knowing God fades; so that the kind of spiritual activities which used to give them pleasure now seem dull and uninteresting. What used to be a blessing now seems like a burden. One way of describing it is that, although they still know the words of Christianity, but they’re unaffected.

And as the world seduces them, their tolerance for impurity in their own heart, and mind, and conduct, gradually increases. To be concerned about avoiding sin no longer seems important or worthwhile.  This is why guarding or protecting our heart is of highest priority.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah says, my heart is not just polluted by sin but it also has great capacity to deceive and be deceived. I can fool others. What’s even more amazing, I can even fool myself…fool myself to think that I’m ”okay” when in reality I’m not!

What’s the solution? “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Jesus has already given us a new heart. You just allowed it to be cluttered and crowded by things, people and the cares of life. Lay your heart before the Lord today and let Him cleanse it, renew it and change it.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY WORKSHOP – a workshop on how to study through the Scriptures effectively and designed especially for pastors and church workers.

Speaker: Ptr. Dan Finfrock

Date: March 19 to 21, 2012

Registration Fee: P100/head, includes lunch, snacks and materials

Venue: Calvary Chapel Training Center

Space is limited to 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. For reservation or information please call CCTC and ask for Chona. And for more information, refer to the poster at the Admin Corner.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES – we are in need of more volunteers to teach in our children’s outreaches.  If you love kids and desire to be used by the Lord in children’s ministry, please approach Janice.

But as a church, as followers of Christ, can we really do business as usual? Is there time in these last days that we can just put down our shield and lay down our sword? Not really. It can never be business as usual. We should be in our Father’s business continually; continue progressing, learning, serving and pressing on to know the Lord and to make Him known to a world who knew Him not!

People are still dying without Christ and many slip into eternity lost forever! “Be always on “Watching and Praying”, Jesus said. If you aren’t watching, you won’t know how to pray. If you aren’t praying it doesn’t matter what you see.

Remember what Jesus said in Luke 17:26-27 – “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.  People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.”

His message is that people across the world in that day were caught up in doing the ordinary things…business as usual. They were taking life as it came, just living day to day. And they were completely ignoring the warnings all around them. Rather than turning to God in repentance they were drifting alone with the prevailing culture, living lives characterized by the attitudes of the day. And Jesus says that is the way it will before He returns. But as a church it should be different! We’re to build our lives on God’s Word, we’re to guard our hearts and we’re to keep watching and Praying!

When we were on our way to La Libertad, we were warned about the bridge that was destroyed and we were led to take another route. This message may be called a road sign of warning. Some may look at a sign that reads: THE BRIDGE IS OUT, and say, “Oh, someone is just trying to scare us into taking another road; let’s go on the same way.” And they go on and plunge to their death. The sign was not meant to scare people, but to warn them of impending danger. The sign was put there, because someone cared and didn’t want others to perish. DO YOU CARE? JESUS CARES!

Beloved, we have this ever shining hope in our hearts, are we sharing it? Do we tell others of this hope we have in Christ? Why not when God wants to use you to be a messenger of hope in this ever darkening times!

Announcement:

WATER BAPTISM & FAMILY BEACH FELLOWSHIP this coming Saturday, March 3 at 10 am, Dulamal’s Beach House (Ate Asha’s) in Cangmating. If you want to obey the Lord in water baptism, please sign up at the back after the service.

• It is a Lovefeast (potluck) affair so bring a dish to be shared.
• Bring your own eating utensils.
• Those who will be baptized please bring extra clothes.
• If you need directions we have a map for you at the back.
• If you need a ride, assembly place will be at the Quezon Park in front of Tops and Bottom, 9:00 am on March 3.
• We need vehicles & drivers to transport people who need rides.  Please approach Noel or Janice.

COVENANT KEEPERS Movie Night tonight, Feb. 26 at 6:30 pm, CCD! Inviting all couples to come and join us!

Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt.4:4) A simple reminder for all of us:  What digestion is to the body, meditation is to the soul. As we read the Word and meditate on it, we receive spiritual health and strength for the inner person, and this enables us to obey the will of God. You see the problem is we think that life is just about meeting our physical needs – that this is all there is! So we work and work, do this – do that,  study hard, nothing necessarily wrong with these things – but being consumed by just these things at the cost of neglecting the spiritual being – which is supposed to be the priority – is imbalanced and doomed to fall!

Jesus is saying, “Life is not just about bread but it’s about God who gives the bread!”  Why is this? Because we are a spiritual being. Man is consists of spirit, soul and body. And God who is Spirit is the only one who can satisfy the spiritual need of man! So if our focus is only the physical we will always be dissatisfied, discontented and lacking! Right after the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus said to the crowd who were looking for Him, “I tell you the truth, you’re looking for Me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you…(Jn.6:26-27).”

Jesus’ words are clear: Put God first. Don’t spend all your energies and your efforts and your time, your resources, talents, and everything you have for that which is going to perish! Laboring for all the temporal, the material, everything that are seen is going to vanish away, but that which is unseen is eternal! Are you working only for the temporal? Only for the material? Only for the food that will spoil or perish? Or are you laboring for the food which will endure unto everlasting life? Food for the body is necessary but not the most important. What the people need is not food but eternal life which Jesus alone can give, for He is the Bread of Life!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

1. H4U Medtech on Monday, Feb. 20, at 7 pm at the Silliman Amphitheater. Please come out and support our H4U and pray for a fruitful harvest!

2. The Living Vessels will be holding an Evangelistic Valentines Dinner on Feb. 25, Saturday at 6:30 pm at Bethel Guesthouse.

• The Theme is “The Greatest . . . . An Affair of the Heart 2012” with theme verse, “And now these remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  1 Cor. 13:13
• Registration Fee is P250.00 / person
• Limited slots only
• Registration is ongoing.

Please approach Lorraine or Gerchelle Yam for inquiries.  This is an evangelistic event, so please invite, or better yet, sponsor your unbelieving friends, relatives, and co-workers.  This is open to all college students, young professionals, and young couples.

3. Mark Your Calendar: WATER BAPTISM  and BEACH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP on March 3 at 10 am, Dulamal’s Beach House in Cangmating. If you want to obey the Lord in water baptism, please sign up at the back after the bible study.

• It is a Lovefeast (potluck) affair so bring a dish to be shared.
• Bring your own eating utensils
• Those who will be baptized please bring extra clothes.
• If you need directions we have a map for you at the back.
• If you need a ride, assembly place will be at the Quezon Park in front of Tops and Bottom, 9:00 am on March 3.

However, there will be an end to all these. Jesus compared it to a woman in travail. There is pain, but the pain will end when the child is delivered. One day when Jesus returns on earth and establishes His kingdom, the groaning creation will become a glorious creation! Let us then pay careful attention to what the creation is telling us. It’s not only that creation declares the glory of God, it also declares to the world the nearness of the return of the Son of God!

But not only God is speaking to the world through the groaning creation, of course most of all from God’s Word, He is also calling out for people to repent and turn to Him through circumstances happening in the world today.

The May 1984 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC shows through color photos and drawings the swift and terrible destruction that wiped out the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in A.D. 79. The explosion of Mount Vesuvius was so sudden the residents were killed while in their routine: men and women were at the market, the rich in their luxurious homes, slaves working. They died amid volcanic ash and superheated gases. Even family pets suffered the same quick and final fate. It takes little imagination to picture the panic of that terrible day. The saddest part is that these people did not have to die.

Scientists confirm what ancient Roman writers record—weeks of rumblings and shakings preceded the actual explosion. Even a warning sign of smoke was clearly visible from the mountain days before the eruption. If only they had been able to read and respond to Vesuvius’s warning!  There are similar “rumblings” in our world:  earthquakes, the nuclear threat, economic woes, breakdown of the family and moral standards. While not exactly new, these things do point to a coming Day of Judgment. People need not be caught unprepared. God warns and provides an escape to those who will heed the rumblings. And the escape is Jesus Christ! And if you are a follower of Christ then that should be primary in your heart and mind right now – how to make your life count by pointing people to the only savior Jesus Christ.

Ask yourself, “Who or what is most important in my life?” I’m hoping that your answer will be, “My relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, is most important to me.” If so, then put that at the top of your list of priorities, & say, “This will affect my decisions, my scheduling, my relationship with others, & my whole outlook on life.” I pray this to be true to all of us.

How can you be sure you’re making the right decision? Sometimes it may seem as if God plays hide and seek when we’re trying to know His will, but that’s not the way He operates. He wants to give us clear direction. The real question is, “What do you need to do to hear His voice?”

Clear the pathway. We have two main obstacles that hinder our discernment: sin in our life and our own strong desires about the situation. To receive the Lord’s guidance, we must repent of all known sin and make our desires secondary to His.

Exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength to stand still when everything within you is shouting, “Hurry! Time is running out!” But if you rush ahead of God, you may miss His will.

Persist in prayer. The Bible clearly instructs us to keep coming to the Lord with our concerns. As we continue to pray, He will gradually weed out anything confusing until we come to His conclusion about the matter.

Search the Scriptures. The Word of God has an answer for every need, and the Holy Spirit knows just how to point us in the right direction. There were times while I was reading the Bible that a verse jumped off the page and supplied the exact answer I needed to make an important decision.

So often when we’re faced with a critical choice, all we want from the Lord is a quick answer. But He delights to meet with us in order to deepen our relationship with Him. Don’t let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of His presence as you seek His will. Don’t just go for His answer, go for Him. In the process of seeking  is where you know Him more.  This is intimacy with God!

Psa.25:14 says, “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”  God makes known His will, His ways to those who fear Him. The word “covenant” here was not merely a conditional contract, offering rewards in return for obedience, but a privileged and intimate relationship of friendship. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear Him. Didn’t Jesus echo this truth to His disciples? In Jn. 15:15, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.” God favors with His presence and guidance those who trust and love Him.

Announcement:

THAI MISSION 2012 TEAM! We still have 6 slots opened. For ministry leaders and those whom Ptr. Jo has personally invited, deadline for your final decision will be on Feb. 12.  If there are still slots available, we will be opening it up to the church volunteers/workers and the deadline for your decision will be on Feb. 18.

The Living Vessels will be holding an EVANGELISTIC VALENTINES DINNER on Feb. 25, Saturday at 6:30 pm at Bethel Guesthouse.  the Theme is “The Greatest . . . . An Affair of the Heart 2012”.

• Registration Fee is P250.00 / person
• Limited slots only
• Registration starts today, Feb. 5, 2012

Please approach Lorraine or Gerchelle Yam for inquiries.  Please invite, or better yet, sponsor your unbelieving friends, relatives, and co-workers.  This is open to all college students, young professionals, and young couples.

FYI:  H4U CBA is on Feb. 13, at 7 pm at the Silliman CBA grounds and H4U Medtech is on Feb. 15, at 7 pm at the Silliman Amphitheater.  Please come out and support our H4U and pray for a fruitful harvest!

Pray for the SUNDAY SCHOOL KIDS OUTREACH on Feb. 18, 2012, 3-5 pm at Habitat Candau-ay.  If you want to get involve and donate the GIFT SHOEBOXES or a cash donation of P300 , please submit it  to Gaily Echin or Lolit Jo, or at the table at the back.

Mark Your Calendar: WATER BAPTISM on March 3.  Details will be announced later.

By the grace of God she indeed is a Proverbs 31 woman (see 31:10-31)…not a perfect woman but a “Proverbs 31 woman”. Its interesting reading that passage that there’s very little emphasis about the woman’s sexuality. That’s because it’s not the woman’s sex appeal that makes her attractive. It’s her character that makes her attractive! It’s what’s on the inside!

How do I know that? Because 1 Peter 3:3 says that “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should come from your INNER SELF, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

Peter’s not saying that you can’t ever wear nice clothes or make up. But he’s saying that true beauty is deeper than that. “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.31:30-31)

Charm may be used for good or for evil; it is not necessarily bad. But its good use requires the fear of the Lord. As you know, every physical body has an enemy that will ultimately win—AGE! Physical beauty will pass away with the years no matter how many creams or treatments we use to try to prevent it. The good news is that the fear of the Lord brings lasting beauty to a woman’s soul. Without this inner attractiveness, physical beauty is merely superficial and temporary.

Our society is so messed up. They put all the emphasis on the outward and very little on the inward. They make the average woman feel like garbage if she doesn’t have the perfect hourglass figure. But God knows that what really makes a woman beautiful is what’s on the inside.

Precious Women of God, seek to be truly beautiful by honoring God above all else in your life. And as a parent, purpose to pass on a spiritual legacy that values true feminine beauty: the love of the Lord.

LUCK. You certainly can’t count on luck. There’s a true story of a couple. They were thrilled. The winning number for the lottery had just been announced, and that exact number was on their ticket. The grand prize was $12 million. They were jubilant—at least for a few hours. Then lottery officials found that there had been a proof-reading error when the winning number was published. The ticket wasn’t worth $12 million after all; it was worth nothing. It had all been a mistake. The next day the man died of a heart attack.

When you hear that true story, you may say, “What rotten luck!” But I think all luck is rotten. Every story where luck is the main theme will eventually have a sad ending. You may disagree and think luck is important. You may like lotteries or casinos or some other kind of gambling. You may use good luck charms or lucky numbers to improve your chances, and you may avoid certain things that might bring you bad luck. The trouble with luck is that you can’t really trust it. You never know whether luck is going to be for you or against you. You can be praising your good luck one moment, only to find out the next moment that your luck has gone bad. If you’re like the man in the story, your faith in luck can give you $12 million dollars one day and then take it away and kill you the next day.

If I had to go through life depending on luck, it would drive me crazy. In this New Year, I couldn’t bear to think that everything that’s going to happen in 2012 is just a random jumble of chance events. I couldn’t handle the wondering and worrying. I couldn’t feel safe or secure. But I don’t believe in luck…so should every person who professes to be a Christian. I believe something much, much better than luck. I believe in the unchanging faithfulness of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb.13:8), so His faithfulness is unchanging. As we are already 22 days in the New Year, depend on Jesus’ faithfulness to give you joy and security which money can’t buy, which human technology can’t achieve, and which human attacks can’t destroy. Our inventions can fail at the worst possible moment, and even when they work, our inventions can’t meet our deepest needs for love, forgiveness, holiness, and eternal life with God. Human help can’t replace Jesus’ faithfulness, and human attacks can’t defeat Christ’s faithfulness to His people.

As His followers, we are to look only to Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith, and to His Word inspired by the Holy Spirit, for guidance in every area of life. Don’t look to the stars to guide you, look to the One who made the stars. Trusting in “luck” is simply a proof of a lack of trust in the One who made everything and who knows what’s best for you.  Trust Him today. Trust in Him alone.

Announcement:

YOUTH CAMP 2012 is fast approaching! Inviting all college and high school students to start praying to be able to join this year’s Youth Camp. Church, especially parents, support us through prayer and in our fundraising activities.  Bake Sale starts today — so please grab a snack on your way out!

Want to serve the Lord? Here’s an opportunity for you to grow and serve  our God in His house—come and join the USHERING MINISTRY of CCD! More ushers are needed during 2nd service. Please sign up at the back or approach Lyne Labbay or any of our ushers.

We are to be single minded (2 Tim. 2:3-4). Christians, like soldiers, are to establish their priorities because they want to please the commanding officer. Who is our commanding officer? Jesus Christ. In 2 Cor. 5:9, Paul wrote, “We make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” You want to have a goal for this new year? Here it is: Please Him! What greater goal than to live to please Him? That by the grace of God, we would live to please Him in our personal lives, family, workplace, school, in our hobbies, etc… Are we a God-pleaser or a Man-pleaser? The winners in the race are those who concentrate, who keep their eyes on the goal and let nothing distract them. Jam.1:8 says, “ A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” The key is to live for that which matters most!

While Jesus was on earth, He could have done all sorts of fantastic things. He could have built buildings that would have made the engineers and architects of the Roman Empire look stupid. He could have opened a university and taught science to the smartest scholars from every nation. He could have conducted the largest Gospel crusade the world had ever seen. He could have healed all the sick people on earth and cleared out every hospital. He could have sent out 12,000 apostles instead of 12 to build His Church.

Why did Jesus refrain from doing these and a million other wonderful things that were within His power? The simple answer is this: Jesus knew His mission—the one task for which He came. He stated it very clearly: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Although He was well aware that He would die for the sins of the whole world, He also knew that He needed to accomplish His mission within the tiny nation of Israel. Jesus lived daily to fulfill His mission and never allowed Himself to be distracted by anything or anyone. When His journey came to an end, He simply said to His Father, “I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). And on the cross, He looked at humanity past, present and future and proclaimed, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Beloved, a focused life is one that makes a difference. Keep the main thing, the main thing – to know Jesus and to make Him known!

Announcement:

ATTN:  Elders’  & Wives and Ministry Leaders’ Prayer/Fasting and Year-long Planning is scheduled on Jan. 20-21, 2012 at CCTC starting from 6:00 pm (Friday) until 10:00 am (Saturday).

Living Vessels Fellowship (Young Adults) is now scheduled every Friday, 7:00 pm at the CCD. Please come on time as we will be joining the Living Stones Youth and College Core groups for opening prayer and praise & worship.

Want to serve the Lord? Here’s an opportunity for you to grow and serve  our God in His house—come and join the USHERING MINISTRY of CCD! More ushers are needed during 2nd service. Please sign up at the back or approach Lyne Labbay or any of our ushers.

“Surely goodness will follow…” What does he mean by that? Obviously David had disappointments in life. Not everything good happened to him. He’s saying that good things will always come out of whatever happens even the bad, the evil, the difficult. God will insure that good will come out — it will follow whatever happens to David and to us. The great promise that God has given to believers: Romans 8:28, “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 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. Now, not only goodness will follow you but “…love will follow me all the days of my life.” (Other translation the word is mercy). What is mercy? Mercy is grace in action. Why do we need mercy? Because we’re imperfect. We stumble and fall, blow it, make mistakes. In the future you’re going to falter! So this year, you need not only God’s goodness, you need His mercy. You need His forgiveness, pardon, healing.

You’re 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.

And…”I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” That’s one of the most important little connections we see in the Bible. It connects yesterday and today with tomorrow. God says, “I’ve got this great life planned for you and it’s for My glory and surely goodness and mercy will follow you through it, BUT that’s not the end! I’ve got something else at the end!” He builds it to a crescendo. David ends this Psalm by saying “We’re going to heaven!” Jesus saves the best until last. With God it just keeps getting better and better. With the world, it’s getting darker and darker…but to a Christian our hope is getting brighter and brighter! The best is yet to come.

Beloved, we were made to last forever. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. But it’s just as true that one day we’re going to be with the Lord. Heaven was made for Christians, for those who trust in Jesus.

Announcement:

ATTN:  Elders’ and Ministry Leaders’ Prayer/Fasting and Year-long Planning is scheduled on Jan. 20-21, 2012 at CCTC starting from 6:00 pm (Friday) until 10:00 am (Saturday).

Living Vessels Fellowship (Young Adults) is now scheduled every Friday, 7:00 pm at the CCD. Please come on time as we will be joining the Living Stones Youth and College Core groups for opening prayer and praise & worship.

For those who ordered CCD t-shirts – the printshop is still recovering from the flood.  We will just inform you when your t-shirts are ready for pick up.

Please keep PTR. CHUCK SMITH in prayer as he undergoes tests and scans for his lung cancer.

Come and stand in the gap with us as we intercede for one another.  Join us every Tuesday at 5:30 pm, here at CCD for our INTERCESSORY PRAYER MEETING.

For so many people it’s a time for new beginnings, new resolutions, new commitments. People will start dieting again, exercising again, “trying” to be disciplined again. I’m reminded of a man who, after thoroughly enjoying his holiday meals and snacks, got on his bathroom scale and sucked in his stomach. His wife saw him, laughed, and said, “Sucking in your stomach doesn’t help.” Ralph said, “Sure it does. It’s the only way I can see how much I weigh! It’s the only way I can see the numbers.”

As the calendar changes, we’re reminded that time changes things. A few seconds is enough time for an accident or earthquake to shatter one’s life. A day or two is enough time for a stock market to plunge, a job to be lost, a flood, tsunami, or earthquake to bring ruin. A year is more than enough time for conflict to wreck a marriage or for cancer to end a life. Time changes things, and not all of the changes are favorable.

The good news is that, amid so many changes, there is one unchanging reality you can always count on. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Jesus never changes, and His faithfulness to those who believe in Him never changes. “His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart (Psalm 91:4). Have you ever had a rough ride in an airplane? Turbulence tosses the plane this way and that. An air pocket makes the plane drop suddenly, and your stomach jumps into your mouth. As you near your destination and come in for a landing, the plane shakes and sways in the wind. When it reaches the runway, the plane bounces a few times before screeching to a stop. After such a wild and bumpy ride, what a relief to be on firm ground! It feels great to have both feet standing on something solid.

So too, if you’ve been blown this way and that by turbulence and changing times, it feels great to have both feet standing firmly on the rock-solid reality of Christ. Faith in Jesus brings security and stability you can’t find anywhere else. Your health can change, your relationships can change, your finances can change, weather patterns can change, economies can change, technology can change, governments and national boundaries can change, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Changing times don’t change the Lord. All other things, even the very earth and sky, are changing. The Bible says earth and sky are like clothes that eventually wear out and must be changed. “But,” says the Bible of Jesus, “you remain the same, and your years will never end” (Hebrews 1:11-12).

So in this New Year, with all its challenges, trials and battles (it may sound repetitive, or a cliché), PUT YOUR HOPE IN THE ROCK SOLID THAT IS CHRIST! He’s return is soon. Look up! For your redemption draws near!

Announcement:

Our Visayan Service resumes next week, Jan. 8.

ATTN:  Elders’ and Ministry Leaders’ Prayer/Fasting and Year-long Planning is scheduled on Jan. 20-21, 2012 at CCTC. Please mark your calendar.

But this feeling is not far from the time Jesus the savior came into the world. For at that time, Israel was controlled by the might of Rome and Herod was just their puppet. He’s a wicked man. Rome was responsible to feed 60 million slaves, and there was famine in many parts of the empire. Morally, the world was held captive by idolatry, immorality, superstition and fear. These were desperate times in Israel, times of darkness, weariness, injustice, disease, and economic desperation. And in the midst of all these, Jesus was born.

He is Immanuel, “God with Us.” And this is the Christmas news: “God is with us.” God is with you! May not the glitz and glitter of this season blind us to the real light that is shining that is Jesus.  May we not be preoccupied with the superficial during this season of the year. And may the power of Christ’s presence bring healing grace into our lives.

Remember: Christmas is not just a baby in a cradle, but also the God-man on the cross. The angel said to Joseph, “You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins!” Christmas without the Cross is not Christmas at all! The Cross is the ultimate goal of Christmas. And yet the story does not stop there –after the Cross is the Crown! Jesus resurrected from the dead and He’s alive forevermore! Because HE is risen our sins are forgiven and we have eternal life. We have hope in this life and the life to come. That’s the good news of Christmas!

Beloved, with all the uncertainties in the world today, the fear and insecurities produced by the worsening times, one got to have a sure foundation, a secure future and a hope. And that hope is Jesus Christ! When all the scaffoldings of life are removed, our earthly security is shaken and man’s promises turn out to be a false hope, HOPE IN JESUS!

Those soft little hands fashioned in Mary’s womb were formed so that nails might be driven through them. Those cute little baby feet would one day walk up a dusty hill carrying a cross. That tender head would one day bear a crown of thorns. The baby grew up, died on a cross, was buried for three days, and again, so that anyone can have a personal, intimate relationship with Him. And in that relationship one receives forgiveness of sins and life eternal.

A HOPE-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Announcement:

There will be no VISAYAN SERVICE today Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.  Our visayan congregation is invited and encouraged instead to join in any of our two English services in the morning. This is to give them more time to spend with family in celebrating Christmas Day and the New Year.

Thank you church for your generosity in our Christmas giving.  You have tremendously blessed our outreaches.

• You have given more than enough that we were also able to bless not only our brothers and sisters at Ptr. Romy’s church in Scandinavian Village, but we were able to give clothes to all 98 families at Scandi.
• We will also be extending help for our brothers and sisters, especially in our Visayan Service affected by the flood. If you still desire to make donations in cash or in kind, you may channel it through the office.

The OFFICE will be closed Dec. 26-28.

ATTN:  Elders’ and Ministry Leaders’ Prayer/Fasting and Year-long Planning is scheduled on Jan. 20-21, 2012 at CCTC. Please mark your calendar.

Gabriel told Mary nothing is impossible for God. In faith Mary submitted to God and gave her permission to proceed with the plan. God never forces His plan on anyone. Mary surrendered her will to God when she said, “May it be to me as you have said.” In every spiritual transaction there are three important forces at work: 1. The Word of God (what God promised Mary) 2. The Will of the Person (Mary chose to follow God’s plan) 3. The Work of the Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she became pregnant).

Our role in the process is to choose God’s will for our lives. That’s what happens when you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You heard God’s Word and you believed it. Then, we submit our will to God’s, and then the Holy Spirit brings about regeneration in our lives. Like Mary, we must all say to God, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” When you do that, you don’t have to worry about how God will accomplish it, because that’s His job, not ours!

THE MANGER – When Jesus was born, Mary laid Him in a manger. Because of the Christmas story, some people think a manger is a nice little baby-bed with a soft bottom and fancy, decorated ribbons. A manger was nothing but a common feed trough for cattle and other livestock. It was a crudely constructed piece of barn furniture–ordinary in every way. But because of the baby in that manger a simple piece of furniture has been transformed into an icon! Why? Because when Jesus was in the manger, it was God in the flesh – the MAN-GOD.

The manger is a wonderful symbol of what can happen to an ordinary man or woman when Jesus Christ lives in them. It’s what’s happened to thousands of us ordinary people – God’s presence has made our lives extraordinary. Just as feed can become a cradle for a king, a very average person can become beautiful, useful and extra- ordinary when they have Jesus Christ in their lives!

Announcement:

CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING to CCD OUTREACHES:

• Everything is covered except for 2 sacks of rice.
• Women’s Fellowship will meet tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 19 at 9 am to pack for the Gift-giving for the  outreaches.

There will be no VISAYAN SERVICE on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.  Our visayan congregation is requested to join in any of our two English services in the morning so they have more time to spend with family in celebrating Christmas Day and the New Year.

God invaded earth. That is the relevance of Christmas. We must remind ourselves that Jesus did not begin His existence in the manger at Bethlehem. He was without beginning. Jesus even declared in John 8:58 – “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” If you were God and were going to come to earth, of all the ways you could choose to reveal yourself, would you come as a baby? As a human being? God did. The reality of Christmas was that Jesus Christ was a real man, flesh and blood, bones, hair. He was a real person, not a myth, fable, or a nice story. The reality is that God came to earth and God became a man. Why would He? If God had wanted to communicate with dogs, He would have become a dog. If He wanted to communicate with birds, He would have become a bird. But God wanted to communicate with people so He became a man.

A few years ago, the singer, Joan Osborne sang a hit song that asked, “What if God was one of us?” Her lyrics posed the question, “If God had a face, what would it look like?” This song expresses the human longing to see and know God. However, Joan Osborne never answered her own question concerning what God would look like if He walked the earth. But the Bible does answer that question—God was one of us and He looked like Jesus. Oh yes, God was one of us, but even better . . . He was fully God and fully man.

Our God has not remained remote and unapproachable – He has come to us in person. He did not just write us a letter. He did not just send us a representative. He did not just speak His laws from a mountain. He came to us as one of us. The Infinite became an infant. The Eternal One became a little one. For what? To die for our sins! Jesus didn’t stay in a crib in a manger. He grew up went to a cross and voluntarily laid down His life for us. He didn’t have to. He was God. He could have called 10,000 angels and stopped the process at any point. He did not have to go to the cross. Nobody put Him there without His permission. But He did…because of His love for us (Jn.3:16)

Christmas is JESUS. The best gift you could give to anyone this Christmas and to every season of life…is His love!

Announcements:

If you still have your H4U ID with you, please return it at the office. We will recycle it for the next H4U.

Final Sunday to order Calvary Chapel T-shirts! Please order at the back after the service.

We are now accepting donations, in cash or in kind, for our yearly Christmas gift-giving for our outreaches.  This year we will be preparing a TOTAL OF 350 FAMILY PACKS, so we  need the following:

• 14 sacks of rice (2 sacks already covered)
• 350 packs of 1-kilo brown sugar
• 700 cans of sardines
• 350 packs of (25 or 50 grams) coffee

The 350 packs of bihon are already covered.

Deadline will be on Dec. 18.  Distribution to the outreaches will be on Dec. 20.

If you have some old but usable clothes that we can give to our Outreach Pastors and their families, please submit it at the office.

It’s such a blessing to see all the volunteers working together, each doing their task faithfully and united in the cause of Christ. Like Paul I could say, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

What is a healthy church? Does it have anything to do with buildings, budgets or programs? Nothing necessarily wrong about these things but they are not the things Paul took note of that made the Thessalonian church a healthy church. And those same three building blocks will undoubtedly make our church continue to grow healthy and strong.  They are a “faith that works”, a “love that labors”, and a “hope that endures”.

A FAITH THAT WORKS – Genuine faith in Christ inspires. It is the kind of faith that produces works. Faith in Jesus Christ isn’t just some speculative, intellectual agreement, but it’s an energetic and productive force that propels us to good works. (Read Eph. 2:10)

LABOR PROMPTED BY LOVE – Now if faith looks backwards at what God has done, love looks upward and around, as it finds specific ways to demonstrate love for God and love for other people that does not expect something in return. The word “labor” here means hard work resulting in exhaustion; the exertion that brings on physical weariness…to groan because of the struggle that is required in order to accomplish the task.

What could possibly be the motivation for undergoing such exertion? Paul says the motive is LOVE. Any other motive won’t do, any other reason is weak and inferior and will not last. Many of you here, because of your love to Jesus and to the church have exhausted yourself; you have labored faithfully — in that I thank God for you.

ENDURANCE INSPIRED BY HOPE – If faith looks back, love looks upward and around, then hope looks forward. The word “hope” in the Bible means “to look forward with total confidence.” What keeps us going amidst trials and difficulties? Because of the hope that one day Jesus will come with His rewards – that indeed our labors in the Lord will not be in vain! So because of this future hope we have, we are able to bravely face whatever was thrown our way and endure the trials!

So here we have the triad of faith, love and hope. The 3 building blocks that makes a church a healthy and thriving church. Faith looks back at Jesus crucified, love looks up at Jesus glorified and around at other people, and hope looks forward to Jesus coming again. Thus, every Christian is a BELIEVER, a LOVER, and a HOPER. Thank you church for being one!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Thank you for those who were involved in any way in the preparation and during the Hope For You concert.  Thank you for being a blessing.

ATTENTION Hope For You Committee Heads – we will have a debriefing this Monday, Dec. 5 at 7 pm here at CCD.

If you still have your H4U ID with you, please return it at the office. We will recycle it for the next H4U.

Final 2 weeks to order Calvary Chapel T-shirts! Please order at the back after the service.

We are now accepting donations for our yearly Christmas gift-giving for our outreaches.  We will be preparing a TOTAL OF 350 FAMILY PACKS, so we need the following:

· 14 sacks of rice

· 350 packs of 1-kilo brown sugar

· 700 cans of sardines

· 350 packs of (400 grams) bihon

· 350 packs of (25 or 50 grams) coffee

Deadline will be on Dec. 18.  Distribution to the outreaches will be on Dec. 20.

It can be scary to be lost. Years ago when I was in college, I was driving through Manila, in the Quiapo area… I got lost. I spent about two and a half hour wandering through the busy, confusing streets of Manila trying to find my way toward Quezon City. How many of you have ever been in a strange building or city and gotten lost? It can be a distressing experience, but you were only lost temporarily, because you are here today!

In this passage Jesus uses the word “lost” to speak of the spiritual condition of being eternally lost. The word L-O-S-T is one of the scariest four lettered words in the human language. You see a lost soul is the most tragic condition in life. There were individuals who at one time were very wealthy, but because of some unwise investments, they lost it all. It’s terrible to lose a fortune, but that’s nothing compared to the tragedy of a lost soul.  Through the years of being a pastor, I sat at the bedside of people who had been strong and healthy, but had become helplessly sick. It’s terrible when someone loses his health, but not nearly as terrible as a lost soul. You can lose your mind, and it’s not as tragic as a lost soul. You can lose your character, and it’s not as bad as a losing your soul. Death will heal the loss of a fortune, or a loss of health or a loss of a mind–but a lost soul is for eternity.

Jesus elsewhere said, “What would it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” We are all like a lost lamb at one time in our lives. Jesus can never find you until you admit you are a lost sinner. That’s the bad news, without Christ we are lost. But the good news is Jesus searches for us in order to save us. Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Overseer of our Souls, will climb the steepest mountain, cross the widest river and cover the farthest and the outermost area just for a lost soul. He not only has the biggest heart, the fondest affection, and the kindest compassion for a lost sinner; He has the broadest shoulders to lean on and rest upon. He can lift, bear or haul an individual of any size, in any shape or condition on those shoulders. He is never ever tired of tending sheep, bearing sheep, or holding sheep. And the lost sinner can rest comfortably, travel peacefully, and return safely with Him!

Have Your way tonight Lord Jesus. Draw people unto Yourself. Find the lost and bring them home, for Your name’s sake and for the glory of the Father.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

TONIGHT is HOPE FOR YOU Concert at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex! Invite your unsaved relatives and friends!

Reminder  for all H4U Dgte Team, especially the H4U COUNSELORS, USHERS, and  SECURITY men:  Check-In time at Macias will be 6:00 tonight.

Our H4U tshirts are now available. Please get it after the service at the back.

The CCD Office will be CLOSED whole day on Tuesday, Nov. 29, and morning of Wednesday, Nov. 30.  Prayer Meeting will resume on Dec. 6.

Satan actively opposes the preaching of the gospel. That’s why we must be aware of the reality of spiritual warfare. Whenever you are talking to a non-believer about Christ, there are invisible forces at work to keep that person from becoming a Christian. I’ve seen so many weird things happen just at the point when a person is considering whether or not to accept Christ.

Have you experienced witnessing, say to a couple, that when you’re about to ask them if they wanted to accept Christ, their little baby started screaming, and you have to stop the conversation. Or, talking to a man about turning his life over to Christ and when you’re at the point of asking him if he wanted to pray and receive Christ his cell phone rang. He looked at it and said, “I’ve got to get this excuse me.”  Or, have you seen flies fly around a person’s head; dogs bark; or television sets suddenly get louder. Satan will use anything he can to distract a person at the point of salvation.

So I exhort you precious church, pray, pray, pray. 1 Pet 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” On the night before His death, there in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told His disciples to “watch and pray that they not enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:40-41; Mark 14:34,38).“ The disciples thought that it was just another evening, but as they dozed and struggled to keep their eyes open, the battle between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God was being waged in their midst. We must not give in to the same temptation to think that all is well and let down our guard.

You see beloved, Satan’s chief strategy for your life and mine is to keep you off your knees and keep you occupied and distracted.  But he trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees!  What makes prayer such a powerful weapon? It keeps us tapped to His power. A prayer-less life is a powerless life, and a prayerful life is a powerful life. Prayer itself is not the thing; it is the Person behind the prayer. The stress here is not the power in prayer, but the powerful Person we talk to! We will never win any spiritual battle without prayer, but the primary strength we have in this warfare is our relationship with God.

Thank God, as I always say, we’re fighting a defeated foe and it pays to know that we’re fighting not FOR VICTORY but FROM VICTORY Jesus won for us 2,000 years ago!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex! Invite your unsaved relatives and friends!

NIGHT OF PSALMS TONIGHT at 6:00 pm for a time of worship and prayer for our H4U Concert!

For those who signed up for  PHYSICAL SET-UP:

• Set-up day will be this Saturday, Nov. 26
• Assembly time will be at 8 am HERE AT CCD (NOT YET AT MACIAS).  We will meet here for a time of Devotion and Prayer.
• For the ladies, please bring your own broom and rags.

We will be printing again our H4U DGTE T-SHIRT. If you want one, please bring your own black t-shirt and P60 pesos for the printing cost and submit it here at the office.  Don’t forget to write your name on your shirt.  Deadline will be tomorrow Monday (morning only).

A few more H4U POSTERS & FLYERS available for distribution.  You may get it at the back after the service.

This reminded me of Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 9:25 – “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” An athlete must be disciplined if he is to win the prize. Discipline means giving up the good and the better for the best. The athlete must watch his diet as well as his hours. He must smile and say “No, thank you” when people offer him fattening desserts or invite him to late-night parties. There is nothing wrong with food or fun, but if they interfere with your highest goals, then they are hindrances and not helps.

The Christian life is a race – not to compete but to complete the course He has marked out for us (Heb.12:1c). It isn’t for salvation but for glorification – receiving rewards from Him who qualified us in the race. As in all sports, we have to obey the rules both in our training and in our performing. Any contestant found breaking the training rules was automatically disqualified.  In order to give up his rights and have the joy of winning lost souls, Paul had to discipline himself. If we want to serve the Lord and win His reward and approval, we must pay the price.

Only one runner could win the olive-wreath crown in the Greek games, but every believer can win an incorruptible crown when he stands before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This crown is given to those who discipline themselves for the sake of serving Christ and winning lost souls. They keep their bodies under control and keep their eyes on the goal. Beloved, we have the Holy Spirit working in us to make us disciplined Christians. Discipline yourself to read your Bible consistently, apply them daily; pray continually and keep your eyes on Jesus constantly!

Paul had one great goal in life: to glorify the Lord by winning the lost and building up the saints. To reach this goal, he was willing to pay any price. He was willing even to give up his personal rights! He sacrificed immediate gains for eternal rewards, immediate pleasures for eternal joys. Don’t be disqualified! Instead fight the good fight of faith!

Announcement:

BEREAN “Getting Deeper” class has already resumed last Tuesday.

Please continue praying for our H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.

More VOLUNTEERS needed for the following:

• Pick-up type vehicles and drivers to help us transport stuff to Macias.  Please approach Noel or sign up at the back.

• Physical Set-up  for Nov. 26 (Saturday) and Nov. 27 (Sunday).  We need help in transporting our chairs to Macias and in cleaning up the venue.  Please sign-up at the back after the service.

H4U POSTERS & FLYERS are already available if you want to help out in distributing it to establishments and campuses. Please ask permission first to store owners or campus authorities before posting the posters You may get it at the back after the service.

NIGHT OF PSALMS at CCD on Nov. 20, at 6:00 pm for a time of worship and prayer for our H4U Concert!

But what are we about as a church? Paul summed it up in Colossians 1:28-29 – “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” It’s all about Jesus and His people becoming like Him.

If Christians, such as you and I, fail to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ, no one else will.  As good as some organizations are, generally they will not tell of Jesus Christ. The Lions Club, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, whatever club – none of these will tell the good news of Jesus Christ dying for our sins and people don’t have to go to hell.  There are many things the world can do as well as the church. Entertain, sing, counsel, draw crowds, build buildings, but there is only one thing the church can do that the world cannot . . . offer salvation of the soul. That’s our focus.

Jesus’ mandate to the church is to go and make disciples, baptize them and then teach them to know and do all that He has commanded us (Matt.28:19-20). We’re not seeking to build organizations, we’re seeking to develop PEOPLE. As Paul said, his goal is to present everyone perfect in Christ. Paul understands that His first goal is to reach people with the Gospel and then develop them in their Christian life. In other words, this is discipleship! We should all be in the process of growth, of becoming more like Jesus every day. Our focus is not on numerical growth, but on spiritual growth. We don’t want to just build buildings, we want to build believers. We’re all about transformation, not just information. We’re called to develop people, not just produce events. We want to see people grow not just show up.

Perfecting has to do with helping them to grow up – to reach their full potential, to get closer to the end product. It means helping them to become like Jesus. And this implies that we’re to commit ourselves to people for the long haul. It doesn’t happen overnight. The goal is more than just their initial salvation.  The purpose of everything we do in ministry is to bring individuals to mature Christianity.

Are you doing that? Are you involved in the building up of fellow believers? Are you willing to be stretched for the sake of your brother or sister’s growth in Christ? Quite honestly, some of you have perhaps gotten comfortable. You’ve stagnated in your growth. You’ve stopped trying to get to new heights with God.  Whenever you and I stop growing, you start wilting. But whenever you go beyond what your normal experience is and do what God is calling you to do, you will get to see yourself reach new places with God. We do things like these to grow other people and to give you a chance to grow. That’s why we do it. This is what we’re about.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

1. BEREAN “Getting Deeper” class resumes this Tuesday, Nov. 8.

2. Please continue praying for our H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.

3. H4U DGTE COUNSELORS’ TRAINING this coming Saturday,  Nov. 12! From 9 am till 11:30 am. More COUNSELORS needed from our church as back-up. Ministries that are encouraged to help out in counseling are the following:

- The Choir                                    – Medical Team

- Hospital Ministry                 – Bible Students

- Missions Fellowship            – Outreach Pastors

- Sunday School Teachers

We are also opening this up to anyone who desires to be part of the H4U Counseling Team, provided that you have been attending CCD for at least 6 months. Sign-up sheets are at the back.

4. VOLUNTEERS needed for the following:

• H4U Ushering Team. If you desire to be part of the ushering team, please sign up at the back.

• Vehicles and drivers to help us transport stuff to Macias.  Please approach Noel or sign up at the back.

• Physical Set-up  for Nov. 26 (Saturday) and Nov. 27 (Sunday).  We need help in transporting our chairs to Macias and in cleaning up the venue.  Please sign-up at the back after the service.

5. H4U POSTERS & FLYERS are already available if you want to help out in distributing it to establishments and campuses. Please ask permission first to store owners or campus authorities before posting the posters You may get it at the back after the service.

6. NIGHT OF PSALMS at CCD on Nov. 20, at 6:00 pm for a time of worship and prayer.

A man once told of his encounter with death. He went to a funeral home to pay respects to a relative who had died. The cause of death was murder and the relatives were grieving.  He remembered how confused and distraught they all looked as the coffin was lowered into the ground in the cemetery. On that day he said he thought many hard thoughts and came to many painful conclusions.  He resolved to change the way he lived. He saw death as unpredictable and inevitable, and he dedicated himself to a closer walk with God. Many of the things that had troubled him intensely suddenly seemed to be so light in the face of death. He cleaned up his life. He became a better friend to his friends, a better relative to his relatives, and a better employee to his employers.

So why are funerals better than parties, according to Ecclesiastes? At parties we escape reality, we try to forget our cares…at funerals we come face-to-face with the meaning of life. A party may be a good occasion to blow off some stress, but a funeral is a place to reflect and learn what life is really about—this is an occasion to prepare for the day when we too will depart and stand before God.

I suspect that if we knew we only had a year or so left on this earth, it would change how we live. More importantly, the Bible says that the time to believe, to trust Jesus Christ as savior, is today…tomorrow may be too late.  Rather than pursue empty pleasures and seek a comfortable life, we need to pursue holiness and seek God. If we reach the end of our days with faith and a good reputation, it shows that we know the true value of things. Many people live in an escapist culture, and have constructed for themselves an oppressive, materialistic prison whose spiritual emptiness is all too obvious.

The point is: Every thinking person must take into account the fact of death and should have a philosophy of life which enables him or her to confidently face that inevitable appointment. Now, how can we face death?  The gospel tells of the saviour, and His name is Jesus, who, “through death, destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and who delivers all those who, through fear of death, are subject to lifelong bondage (Heb.2:14)! Thank You Lord Jesus for Your victory over death…and our lives are worth the living because You live!

Announcement:

BEREAN “Getting Deeper” class resumes on Nov. 8.

Please continue praying for our H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.

H4U DGTE COUNSELORS’ TRAINING on Nov. 12! From 9 am till 11:30 am. If you desire to take part in the harvest then reserve this date!

NEW CCD T-SHIRTS for sale!  This is a fundraising project to help out our Karen brothers and sisters. Samples are displayed at the back.  Please pay as you order.