“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms 37:4Psalms 37:4
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  

WP-Bible plugin) Many Christians like to claim the 2^nd part of the verse: “He will give you the desires of your heart”, but they’re not delighting in the Lord. What does it mean to delight in the Lord? It means to take pleasure in, or enjoy Him. Have you seen a child’s eyes looking at a new bought toy? How he delights in it? How about a newly wed couples’ eyes? That is the picture here.

We delight in Jesus because He is our first love! He’s all in all that we need. He’s the source of our joy, better still, He is our joy! He is the overriding desire of our heart. The object of our affection, our meditation and our activity! Non-believers delight in their position, possession, and power. But as a child of God, if we delight in Jesus, we will never envy theirs! The world delights in their portion, we must in ours!

Again, some people think this verse is a blanket promise from God to get whatever we want. Just get close to God and He’ll give you whatever you want! NOT SO! I do believe that God will give us the desires of our heart, but I also believe that before He does so He will change what those desires are.

When we think about God, meditate on His blessings toward us, and contemplate the awesome sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us, then our desires begin to change. Once we look at everything through the backdrop of the cross we can start to see things how God sees them. By delighting in God and drawing close to Him through scripture study and prayer, our thoughts knit together and we can see what is really important to Him. In this way, His desires start to become our desires. He gives us the desires of our heart when they line up with His desire for our life.

When we learn to delight in the Lord or get delighted and excited with the Lord, what happens? His wants become our wants! His desires become our desires! Now if He’s desires become ours, would we ask anything we ask for selfish gain? Would we desire those things that we know break His heart? No! We cannot delight in God and at the same time break His heart! But we would desire those things that pleases Him because we’re delighting in Him.

You see when we delight in the Lord, our heart’s desire is being changed and conformed to His heart’s desire. And so when we have His desires in our hearts which become our desire, then surely He will grant it! And what would that desire be that He would grant? Him. More of Him! We delight in Him and He will give us more of Him! And having Him flows out what every soul need: joy, peace, strength, rest, security. When we find pleasure in the Lord God, we will then be rewarded with our innermost desires – we will have all that God intends for us to have!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Please continue praying for another H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011r 27, 2011
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.

ATTN: CHOIR practice will resume on Oct. 5 at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  Those who are interested to join please feel free to approach Ma’am Jing or any choir member.  We are preparing for H4U Dgte in November.

COVENANT KEEPERS tonight at 6:30 pm, here at CCD.  Inviting all couples to come for a time of instruction and fellowship!

The Annual  Calvary Chapel Pastors and Workers Conference will be on October 18-20 at EcoTech, Lahug, Cebu.  The Theme is THE JOY OF SERVING.

Registration fee:

• P1,400 per person for those staying at Eco-Tech
• P 900  per person for those staying outside EcoTech
• P  700 per child for children sleeping in their parents bed but eating @ Eco-Tech

A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required. If interested please sign up at the back after the service. Deadline to sign up and pay the deposit is on Oct. 2

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.

Ministry Leaders – Deadline for submitting your ministry’s 2012 budget is today, Sept. 18, 2011.

After that fateful day, Sept.11, 2001, what has become of the world we live in? It may have indeed made some drastic effect and change in the lives of individuals. But if we really look at the world as it is, through the lens of God’s unchanging, eternal Word, we know we’re still in a very unstable and uncertain time. Bombings continue in different places, wars and rumors of war are here to stay, the Middle East and Israel still not at peace and many people are still gripped with the fear of the future, and worst of all, sin and wickedness continue to reign in the heart of men! Imagine, the New York City officials are not allowing prayer in the formal 10th anniversary commemoration ceremony of 9/11?! No wonder!

Have you wondered where our world is heading? Do you think that this age will go on and on and on? Praise God we know where the world is heading ultimately. How? God has given us His Word of Prophecy. And know that the Prophetic message is –

1) To show that history is going somewhere, that it is heading for an Omega point, so to speak. It shows that this age is heading to a stop and be replaced by a new age, an age where God would make everything new (Rev.21:1-5)!

2) The prophetic message is also to show God at work in human history. To show that God is sovereign. That He is in control of human affairs. May this encourage you to know that in spite of the ever-increasing wickedness and ever-growing chaos in our times, God still has this whole world in His hands. And the hands that shaped us is shaping all things to fulfill its ultimate end – the glory of God! He still got you and me in His hands here and hereafter. Rejoice in that today! AND,

3) The message of Jesus’ Return serves to strengthen and encourage God’s people but warns the unbeliever of impending judgment that will come on those who reject Christ. But again, to the Christians, it gives comfort and courage in this life -1 Thess.5:11. 2 Pet 1:192 Pet 1:19
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  

WP-Bible plugin “As a light shining in the darkness…” is the description given by the apostle Peter to the word of prophecy.” Peter is saying, “you do well not merely to know about or be interested in Biblical prophecy, but to pay very close attention to it! WHY? BECAUSE -

There is going to be darkness and God’s prophetic word will be the light you need therein. It will guide you, direct, help and comfort. It will help to establish God’s proper goals in your heart and mind. You see, God wants us to know about the future so that we could learn how to live in the present. The life we live here on earth reflects where we are heading. Are you living for Jesus Christ? For yourself? For what the world offers?  The answer to that reveals where you are heading!

LIVE FOR HIM, IN HIM AND THROUGH HIM and you’ll be in the safest place — that even death is a victory for it just brings us to that ultimate, glorious and most blessed state of existence – being with Him forever!

Announcement:

The Annual  Calvary Chapel Pastors and Workers Conference will be on October 18-20 at EcoTech, Lahug, Cebu.  The Theme is THE JOY OF SERVING.

The cost of the conference is:

• P1,400 per person for those staying at Eco-Tech
• P   900 per person for those staying outside EcoTech
• P  700 per child for children sleeping in their parents bed but eating @ Eco-Tech

A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required  before Oct. 4.  Please sign up at the back after the service.

New CCD tshirts 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.

Start praying for another H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011r 27, 2011
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.

Reminder to all Ministry Leaders – please start praying and planning for your next year’s activities.  Deadline for submitting your ministry’s 2012 budget will be on Sept. 18, 2011.

As Libyan rebels continue to fight for freedom from the Qaddafi regime, I thought to myself how we forget and take for granted the freedom we have as believers. People fight for it today, for us it’s already been fought and won! The word is “redemption” – to release or set free. (see Eph.1:7) We still use the word “redeem” in that sense in connection with a pawn shop. I don’t know how many of you have had the experience of having to pawn something. In order for you to get back the thing you pawned, it has a price. So you buy it back by paying the price. So is the redemption of our souls. Jesus bought us back, a slave and captive to sin and set us free.

Now, many of us have absolutely no idea what it means to be enslaved – to be stripped of any personal rights, dignity, or freedom. To become property of another – no longer human but merely a thing to be used, abused, or neglected entirely at the whim of someone else who “owns” you. We can’t imagine what it means to literally have shackles on our ankles, which limit our ability to move farther than the short chain might allow. We have heard about slavery, but in general it is probably so far removed from our own experience that it is difficult for us to grasp the complete helplessness and despair. To know that there is not a single thing we can do for ourselves to change our situation.

But if you can imagine what it means to be enslaved – if you can sense a bit of the horror and helplessness – then we can start to understand what redemption is. It is the idea of someone, in this case a perfect stranger, appearing out of nowhere and paying the price to buy us back and set us free. Being “redeemed” means that someone from the outside has come to us in our helplessness and set us free. That is the essence of the cross of Christ. Because of our sin, we were enslaved. We were trapped. We were helpless. We were bound by the chains of sin and shackled by the power of Satan. And then God sent His Son and Jesus came to rescue us. He came to liberate us. He redeemed us – buying us back from the slavery to sin and enabling us to be free to be in relationship with God.

Not only that, Jesus came, paid a price, bought us, and restored us to usefulness. Anything in a slave market is of no use at all. Until a slave is purchased he is no good to anyone. And so this is the picture of a slave purchased and freed in order to be useful and fruitful to someone – to the one who bought him. And for us, it’s Jesus. And what a good and loving Master He is indeed! He gave us true freedom – not freedom to sin, but freedom from the power and penalty of sin. He‘s the kind of Master that you would want to serve – not because you have to – but because you want to!

So thank and praise Him today for the freedom we have in Christ, and being made to be useful again in the hands of the Master!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

• The Karen Church building in Mae Ra Moe, Northern Thailand was destroyed by the recent flooding. If you  desire to help out financially you may drop it at the lovebox (please write specifically for the Karen) or give it at the office.
• New CCD tshirts 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.
• Start praying for another H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011r 27, 2011
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible plugin at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.
• Reminder to all Ministry Leaders – please start praying and planning for your next year’s activities.  Deadline for submitting your ministry’s 2012 budget will be on Sept. 18, 2011.

“It was a beautiful Sunday morning. People were filling the church to its fullest capacity. As they entered, each were given a bulletin filled with announcements, activities to do for the month. At the end of the line stood an older man. His clothes were filthy and you could tell that he had not bathed in days. His face was covered in whiskers where he had not shaved for a very long time. His hair was long, dirty and tangled mess. He had no shoes on his feet, and wore only soiled, black socks.

The usher put his fingers to his nose and glared at the old man and said, ‘Uh. I’m sorry sir, but I’m afraid we can’t let you in. You will distract the congregation and we don’t allow anyone to disrupt our service. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.’ The old man looked down at himself and with a puzzled look on his face he then turned to leave. He was sad as he loved to hear the church sing praises to the Lord. He carried in his pocket a small worn out Bible and love to see if the minister preached a passage from the Bible that the old man had underlined.

He was respectful enough and didn’t want to cause any commotion, so he walked back down the steps of the church. He sat down on the brick wall near the edge of the church yard and strained to listen through the closed doors and windows to the singing going on in the church. Oh how he wished he could be inside with all the others! A few minutes had passed by when all of a sudden a younger man came up behind him and sat down near him. He asked the old man what he was doing. He answered, ‘I was going to go to church today, but they thought I was filthy and my clothes are old and worn and they were afraid I would disrupt their service. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Jose.

The two gentlemen shook hands and Jose couldn’t help but notice that this man had long hair like his. He wore a piece of cloth draped over his body tied with a royal purple sash. He had sandals on his feet, now covered with dust and dirt. The stranger reached to touch Jose’s shoulder and said, ‘Hello, Jose, don’t feel bad because they would not let you in. My name is Jesus and I’ve been trying to get into this same church for years, and they won’t let me in either. “

The danger is that the church can become just another club – an elite society that has all the right externals but has forgotten what its true purpose is. Yet Jesus met unbelievers where they were. According to one count, the gospel records 132 contacts that Jesus had with people. Six were in the Temple, four in the synagogue and 122 were out with people in the mainstream of life. If we’re not careful, we can easily become a self-righteous subculture with no room or sympathy for “sinners.”  Remember that the church is not a hotel for saints but a hospital for sinners who need Jesus – that they might be healed and be changed forever!  Welcome and love someone today…as one Christ would love and accept.

Start praying for another H4U Dumaguete this coming November 27, 2011r 27, 2011
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.

Reminder to all Ministry Leaders – please start praying and planning for your next year’s activities.  Deadline for submitting your ministry’s 2012 budget will be on Sept. 18, 2011.

Pray for the Missionaries’ Fellowship this coming Aug. 31– Sept. 2 to be led by Ptr. John Michaels.  Theme:  Overcoming Cross-Cultural Insensitivity.  Venue is at the Calvary Chapel Training Center.

We’re inviting you to our MID-WEEK STUDY every Thursdays at 5:30 pm. We are finishing up our studies from the book of Isaiah.

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.

August 19 was “Araw ng Wika”, celebrating our national dialect, the Filipino language – that we are to love it, be proud of it, and preserve it for it’s one of our identifying marks as Filipinos. In the same way, Christians have one identifying mark regardless of one’s race, color, or church affiliation – LOVE. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

One of the ways we express love is through kindness. What is kindness? Someone once said, “kindness is simply love with its work-clothes on.” It’s love when it goes to work. It does not mean to FEEL kindly or to feel kindness; it means to do acts of kindness to people. If you love them, you will demonstrate it tangibly by showing them kindness.

A missionary returning after serving many years in the jungles of New Guinea was asked, “What was it like? Tell us what you found there.” “Found? I found a mission field that looked more hopeless than if I had been sent into a jungle of tigers.” “What do you mean?” “The people there were so fierce & degraded that they seemed utterly devoid of moral sense.  If a mother were carrying her little baby & the child was crying & wouldn’t stop, she would throw it into the ditch & let it die. If a man saw his own father break his leg, he would just leave him to suffer by himself. They had no compassion whatever. They didn’t even know what the word meant.”

“Well, what were you able to do? Did you preach to them?” “No, not at first. I thought it better to show them my faith by my works! When I saw a baby crying, I picked it up & consoled it.  When I saw a man with a broken leg, I sought to mend it. When I found people distressed & hungry, I took them in, comforted & fed them. Finally they began to ask, ‘What does this mean? Why are you doing this for us?’ Then I had my chance. I told them about Jesus, & many of them came to know & love Jesus, too.”

Beloved, kindness will influence more than eloquence! Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read! Kindness is almost a lost art today, isn’t it? So many people are rude & self-centered, worried about themselves and not concerned about others.

How about in your family? Are you showing kindness towards your family members? Because I want to tell you how you are at home is how you really are. If you are not kind to those people in your family, any kindness you show to those outside your family is basically hypocritical.  Husbands, how about it? Are you showing kindness toward that lady you are married to? Wife? Parents? Children?

Kindness starts at home that spills over to the church and then to the community. And then and only then, that the world will know that we are truly His disciples! May we speak the language of love from now on.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

We’re inviting you to our MID-WEEK STUDY every Thursdays at 5:30 pm. We are finishing up our studies from the book of Isaiah.

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.

I’m sure Silliman University is gearing up for their founder’s day. Activities, programs, parade and reunions will once again light up and fill the festivity. I just hope and pray that amidst the celebration, Christ, the foundation of the school, will be honored above all. I thank God for the Christians and the Christian organizations in the campus that will be the light and the salt there. May they grab this opportunity to share and proclaim the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ!

Sad that “Via, Veritas, Vita” is reduced to an ideology, a philosophy, a motto. No, it’s a Person. It’s the Son of God who is God the Son! He’s the Way – without Him there’s no going; He’s the truth – without Him there’s no knowing; He’s the life – without Him there’s no living! Quoting an anonymous author, “He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!  He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will be… Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and brought freedom!  He was dead and brought life! He is raised and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace! The world can’t understand him, the armies can’t defeat Him, the schools can’t explain Him, and the leaders can’t ignore Him.  Herod couldn’t kill Him, the Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and the people couldn’t hold Him! Nero couldn’t crush Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him, Religion can’t replace Him, and the secular media can’t explain Him away!

He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. His ways are right, His Word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. I serve Him because His bond is love, His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. His goal is a relationship with ME! He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!  When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me!  When I am hungry, He feeds me! When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! So, if you’re wondering why I feel so secure, understand this… He said it and that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul!”

This is my JESUS! I love Him and I will proclaim Him to the ends of the earth…until my breath runs dry and my heart ceases to beat!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Last Sunday night we received a message from MJ regarding Mae Ra Moe Camp – due to a typhoon, they have suffered several landslides and 440 plus houses were under water. Three rice warehouses got flooded.  Ptr. Eric and MJ sent all the medicines we left behind, some of our clothes, and some tents/supplies to the camp. Phii Lala (their contact) as of last Sunday, asked for prayer for food and clothing. Today, MJ said that all they need for now is temporary shelter.  The Bible College by God’s grace was not that affected by the floodwaters.

Selflessness is the key to an effective mission trip or to any endeavor for those who claim to be followers of Christ. I thank God for the unity displayed in our recent mission trip. Everyone died to themselves. There’s no other way, in fact. Anyone can be mentally, physically, and technically prepared but if the heart isn’t ready to die to self (to one’s own preferences and wants, expectations) it can ruin a work, a team, if not ruin the person. James 3:16James 3:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. confusion: Gr. tumult, unquietness  

WP-Bible plugin – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Envy and selfishness go hand-in-hand. Where these two are allowed to exist, everything else evil comes right along with it. Every conflict you have and every evil thing begins with a concentration on self. The number one destroyer of unity is selfishness!

Consider marriage. Have you ever wondered causes the conflict in your marriage? Is there one basic reason why you and your spouse seem to continually battle with each other? Is there a root cause to the disagreements and strife between you? Yes. It’s SELFISHNESS! That’s the root cause of every conflict. Jesus put His finger squarely on our greatest need: If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matt.16:24). Jesus made it clear that the disciples could not continue to live for themselves and follow Him at the same time. The selfish life had to be denied to the point of death! The self-life is what keeps any person at war with God and living an independent life. Therefore, selfishness is the primary issue that God desires to deal with in every life. Only as we renounce selfish living can we begin to live for Him and be able to truly serve others.

Now, why is selfishness such a root issue? Because self-seeking is contrary to love. 1 Cor.13:5 –“Love is not self-seeking.”  Scripture makes it very clear that love is always more concerned about other’s well-being. In the flesh, we are all motivated by selfish ambition or conceit; much of what we do is not done out of love for others, but out of our own desire for advancement or position.  1 Cor.10:24 adds, “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” Therefore, love and selfishness cannot co-exist.

Paul said, “Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ!” (Phil.1:27) There’s no greater cause of shame and disgrace in the church when the unbelieving world around us see that we are constantly fighting. That indeed is not a conduct worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Jesus is our best example of selfless living. His life taught us that it is by giving that a person receives, by serving he is served, by losing his life he finds it, by dying he lives, by humbling himself He is exalted.  If you really think about it, living this way is not even an option for those who call themselves a “Christian.” It isn’t even referred to as a “choice”. Instead, it is a way of life…the way “TO” LIVE.

May, by the grace of God, and by His Spirit working in us, we live the selfless life…for the glory of the One who lived selflessly and died sacrificially that we might have life eternally!

After 15 days of fruitful ministry away from home, finally I got to see my kids, the church, and sleep on my own bed. Now, one thing that is always difficult in our mission trips in Thailand is the language barrier. No matter how much you want to minister to people it leaves you dead on your tracks. It hinders your ability to minister with your words. Though we have translators (Thank God for our missionaries!) but there’s no translator for every person in the team. And even though we tried our best to learn basic greetings and words, it’s hard to sustain a conversation.

But one of the many things that the Team are blessed to hear is the testimony of Phi Franni, a believer in Sukhothai church. She said that though she could not fully understand what we are saying, she saw the love of God in us in the way we minister. Also she said that she may not get everything I was saying in my preaching she saw the passion. Beloved, it’s true in many ways that action speaks louder than words. Truly, love knows no language barrier; it knows no boundaries. Indeed, our actions speak a lot about what we believe. It demonstrates the reality of Christ in us. How humbling it is to know that Jesus chose to reveal Himself to the Thai and Karen people through us.

Isn’t this what the Scriptures teach about the Christian life? That we are to be “little Christ’s” here on earth? That we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only? That we are Christ’s letter, known and read by everyone? With the way we live what kind of message are we sending? We are surely God’s love letter to the world. We have experienced the matchless, unconditional love that God has for us. God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son as a love letter to each of us. And now, God wants each of us to be a living love letter to those we meet. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this ALL MEN WILL KNOW that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35John 13:34-35
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  

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The mark of a Christian isn’t wearing a cross, or carrying a Bible, or having a tattoo of “I love Jesus” imbedded in your skin. The only mark of a Christian is love. May God grant us grace to love as He loves.

“You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, by deeds that you do, by words that you say. Men read what you write, whether faithless or true. Say! What is the gospel according to you?”

ANNOUNCEMENT:

THAILAND MISSION TESTIMONY NIGHT on August 7 (Sunday) at 6:30 pm here at CCD. We praise God for a fruitful mission trip to Thailand! Come and hear what the Lord has done!
SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILY DAY: The Sunday School Ministry is holding its Family Day on August 6 from 8:30rom 8:30
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  

WP-Bible plugin am to 2:00 pm. This is a time where our kid’s parents and Sunday School volunteers can bond. This Family Day will be a love feast (potluck) event.

BEREAN “GETTING DEEPER” Class will resume this Tuesday, 7:15 pm.

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.

This sums up the unforgettable, lesson-filled, Spirit-led, heart-piercing and life-changing experience the Thailand Mission 2011 Team have had. You truly will never be the same again. If you think you’re walking fine with God…think again! It’s going to all change when you join a mission trip. If you think you’re already “on fire you’ll discover that you would definitely need some fuel!

Short term mission trips provide this. For it challenges your core head-belief system, shatters your image of service, stretches your faith and rearranges your priorities! You can’t remain selfish and self-consumed when you see what we saw, hear what we heard and be where we were. It de-clutters one’s heart and detaches one’s life laying aside and letting go of things that do not matter for eternity — and that do not contribute to the gospel of Christ and the building up of the church that has its end the glory of God!

On behalf of Ptr. Eric, Mj and Vem-vem, and also on behalf of the Thai and Karen brethren, the Thailand team 2011 thank you precious church for all your support in prayer, monetary and goods that made our trip a success in the eyes of God. You are indeed part of our victory and may the Lord Jesus continue to enable us by His grace to obey the Great Commission until He returns. It’s not always easy but there’s abiding joy; it’s sacrificial but it’s a privilege not a sacrifice. For He, in order to save us from sins, in love, gave His life. And we who are recipients of this love are now called to love those whom He died for!

So, whatever it takes, we’re going to obey…and it will all be worth it…now and in the life to come!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

We praise God for a fruitful mission trip to Thailand and we thank Him for the traveling mercies as well. The team arrived last Thursday morning. We’d also like to thank the church for all your prayers for the team.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILY DAY: The Sunday School Ministry is holding its Family Day on August 6 from 8:30rom 8:30
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  

WP-Bible plugin am to 2:00 pm. This is a time where our kid’s parents and Sunday School volunteers can bond. This Family Day will be a love feast (potluck) event.

There’s so much to write about our mission trip and there’s still ministry to fulfill. You can all get to hear our stories when we get back and have our Mission 2011 Testimony Night. In the meantime, for a blow by blow, day to day account you can just read Jb’s journal posted on Calvary Chapel Dumaguete Facebook account.  All I can say for now, as I always say is, the trip is life-changing and the Lord continues to reveal His heart to us as a group and individually. But most of all, the gospel is being proclaimed and Jesus Christ’s name is being made famous – in a country where “Jesus” is mistaken to be a shoe brand or a thing to wear! But this team is determined to make His name known – for indeed, there is “no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12Acts 4:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  

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As expected (though our schedule is well thought of and planned), the unexpected happens that detoured us or redirected us. But no matter the changes I’m so proud of the attitude and demeanor of the team – they’re just game and flexible allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way. And the result is a more meaningful experience that brought greater glory to God and caused change in our hearts!

One of those unscheduled events for which I’m very grateful of is our visit to James Garwood’s grave. Many of you have heard me talk about him from last year’s mission trip. That soul, even for a short period of time, impacted us greatly – the love of Christ just oozing out of him and his passion for the lost – the down and the trodden. His death shocked us and yet rejoicing in the fact that he’s received his crown. Standing at his grave, I didn’t see it coming…tears just flowed down my cheeks and the pain of losing a loved one gripped my heart. More so when I saw Bua (James’ wife) and JB cried the same tears. But the comfort of the Holy Spirit took over and settled my heart….and we moved on.

Remembering his life and legacy inspired me more to live for Christ, obey His Word and fulfill His call – there’s really no greater and more worthwhile life than this. The alternative is like a passing wind that blows by your face and fades to nothing! Let me ask you: What do you really live for? Review your life, reassess your priorities, realign your will to His will, refocus to that which count for eternity and redeem the remaining years of your life to know Him and to make Him known to a world who knew Him not.

Thank you church for your prayers and may you continue to do so…until we see each other again.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILY DAY: The Sunday School Ministry is holding its Family Day on August 6 from 8:30rom 8:30
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30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  

WP-Bible plugin am to 2:00 pm. This is a time where our kid’s parents and Sunday School volunteers can bond. This Family Day will be a love feast (potluck) event.

The training is done, our bags are packed, and our heart is prepared. Today, the Thailand Missions 2011 team is all set to be used by the Lord of the harvest to do His bidding. Thank you church for participating in this work.

I love to read missionary stories. One is of David Livingstone. He was a highly trained Scottish physician. He heard the African missionary Robert Moffatt say “on a clear morning, the smoke from a thousand villages could be seen where the name of Jesus Christ had never been heard.”  That vision was burned into Livingstone’s mind, so he traveled back to Africa with Moffatt and later married his daughter. He understood what Jesus meant when He said to go to the ends of the earth.

Livingstone preached Christ, treated the sick, and prepared the first maps of the interior of Africa. He was out of touch for so long, a newspaper hired an explorer by the name of Henry Stanley to find Livingstone. After searching for many months, and not seeing a European, when Stanley found Livingstone, he spoke those famous words, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.”

Now, for the rest of the story: Stanley was an adventurer for hire, but he was a coarse and wicked man by his own admission. But meeting Livingstone changed his life. Henry Stanley wrote of David Livingstone: “For 4 months and 4 days I lived with him in the same hut, or the same boat, or the same tent, and I NEVER FOUND A FAULT IN HIM. I went to Africa prejudiced against religion as the worst infidel in London. But little by little, seeing his piety, his gentleness, his zeal, his earnestness, and how he went quietly about his business, I was converted by him, although he had not tried to do it.”

On May 1, 1873 Livingstone was found kneeling by his bed, dead. By his request, his heart was removed and buried in Africa before his body was mummified and returned to England where he received a hero’s welcome. Over and over he was referred to as a sacrificial servant of Christ. But he wrote in his journal before he died: “People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice, which is simply paying back a small part of the great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice, which brings its own blest reward in the bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege!”

And after his death, someone returned to Africa to take his place preaching the gospel to the Africans–who else? Henry Stanley. Whether it’s David Livingstone in Africa, or Hudson Taylor in China, or Eric, MJ, and Vemarie in Thailand, all these missionaries and others have understood what Jesus said about taking the good news to the ends of the earth.  And to do the job, there must be a resolve to make His name famous, a mind that is focused on the call and a heart that beats for the lost, whatever it takes!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Please pray for our Thailand Mission -July 10—21!

• Prayer cards are available at the Missions table. Please get one.

• Our Mission day-to-day schedule is posted at the Admin Corner

• For those who ordered Thai Missions 2011 T-shirts you may claim it at the Missions table after the service.

BACK-2-SCHOOL WORSHIP NIGHT on July 15! Livingstones and College Core please invite your friends to a night of acoustic worship this coming Friday, 7 pm here at CCD.

July 4 is Independence Day in the USA and Fil-American Friendship Day here in the Philippines. Our history tells us that we did owe a lot to our American friends in the freedom from foreign powers that we enjoy today. Sad to say the freedom is only skin-deep, so to speak. People are still bound to a greater enemy within – sin.

The issue is not the color of the skin but the sin within. And it’s because of that, the Bible tells us that man is an enemy of God, separated from His life and lost – with His wrath hanging upon his head. This is why in a free nation evil still continues to wreak havoc in the lives of men and women. That’s why in spite of man’s effort to improve himself and his surroundings – with the latest and modern technology, programs or what have you, it remains the same. Society’s ills are traced back to the heart of man. The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Wherever you go, whatever time period you live in, styles may change, fads come and go – the heart remains the same. It still is deceitful above all things. Who can cure it (Jer.17:9). Unless the heart is truly freed from the power and influence of sin, there could be no real independence of the soul.

The good news is God has not totally left man alone. He Himself provided a way for him to be truly free. It cost Him greatly. He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in our stead on the cross of Calvary to reconcile us back to God. What is impossible for man is possible with God. Through Christ’s death and resurrection we are now His friends. 2000 years ago was the inauguration of GOD-MAN Friendship Day. We are not His enemies anymore, we became His friends. We were befriended by the King of all kings!

How is this possible? When we put our faith in Him He gives us new heart and changes us from within. He gives us new desires, new way of thinking, and a new way of living. And being so affects and influences the environment we are in. Oh what an impact we can make when we live up to our calling – pointing people to the One who can truly set people free. For whom the Son has set free – is free indeed! Let us call out men and women to this freedom we know. Let’s bring them to the feet of our Savior and Friend. Then they’ll say, “Oh what a Friend we have in Jesus indeed!”

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Please pray for our Thailand Mission this coming July 10—21!

• The team will be conducting some medical check-up/first aid and do some basic health care lessons. We will be needing some skin infection ointments, bandages, betadine, glocumeter, gluco strips, needles, vitamins and antibiotics. We are also conducting English Camp for the kids in Thailand. And for treats, Ptr. Eric and Mj requested that we bring Philippine cookies and candies, and Boy Bawang. If you wish to donate, please submit it at the office. Deadline will be this Thursday, July 7 so that the team can start packing.
• We are preparing CARE BASKETS for our missionaries in Thailand, items they missed from the Philippines. Their wish list are the following: Purefoods Corned Beef, Graham Crackers, Sinigang Powder Mix, Casino Alcohol, Caladryl Lotion. Their additional request is Pancit Canton Hot and Spicy and with Calamansi.. If you wish to donate please submit it at the office. Deadline is also this Thursday, July 7. No need to bring Mr. Chips and Eden Cheese, it’s already been covered.

Thai Missions 2011 T-shirts for sale! Available at the Missions table at the back after the service. Please pay as you order.

Missions Movie Night tonight at 6:30 pm here at CCD. We will be showing the movie “End of the Spear”. We will not be selling tickets for this event. The lovebox will be place at the back for voluntary giving.

For those who ordered the H4U Siquijor tshirts, please claim your order from Marlyn.

Many years ago, men believed that the earth was the center of the universe. All of the planets were thought to be revolving around the earth. Modern astronomy has shown this to be wrong. But this historical view of the universe tells us a great deal about the mentality of mankind – Man wants to believe that everything revolves around himself. We want to be at the center of what is happening.

While we have come to learn that the sun is the center of our solar system, many people, even some Christians still seem to think that in the spiritual realm man is central. We persist in emphasizing what God can do for men, rather than dwelling on man’s worship of God. This is why many times Christians have so much difficulty worshipping God. Worship is God-centered, not man-centered. Worship focuses on God and His greatness, not on man.

Sad to say many Christians have defined worship by our consumer tastes. We approach worship much like we approach everything else in life. When we go out for dinner, when we visit the home of a friend, when we watch a show on television, when we listen to the radio, we evaluate everything from a utilitarian, enjoyment culture that asks, “How much did I like that? What did that do for me? Was it what I wanted it to be? Did it taste right – which is really to say – did it taste the way I wanted it to?” “If it feels good” go ahead! The question we ask is, “How did it feel?” Now, I’m not altogether dismissing emotions and feelings as part of worship, nor saying we should not enjoy worship. But you see they may be there as a result, not as a pursuit – the pursuit is God!

Worship is not about “if it feels good to me” but does it please God? We need to be careful that we’re not to put ourselves at the center. The congregation is not encouraged to “get high” (or, “get all excited”) with some kind of self-energized enthusiasm. The source of their joy and the recipient of their praise are to be their God. Worship that is biblical is that praise and adoration which has God as its source and its subject – not the act itself! As the sun is the center of our solar system, so God is to be at the center of our adoration and praise.

Worship means to “ascribe the highest worth to.” So when we worship we are saying, “God you’re number one in my life. You come before anything and anyone else.” That is what is meant when we say, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul and strength.” Nothing is more important to you than God.  When we worship, we take our focus off everything else and place it solely upon God and I guess the best way to put it is this, “Worship is when we celebrate God.”

So, beloved, today let’s forget about ourselves and celebrate the Lord, His holiness, goodness and faithfulness! Why? For He deserves it!

Announcement:

We are gearing up for our upcoming Thailand Mission in July. This year’s theme is “WHATEVER IT TAKES” and our verse is from 2 Cor. 5:142 Cor. 5:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  

WP-Bible plugin  “For Christ’s love compels us . . . “ In line with this, we will have:

A. Thai Missions 2011 T-shirts for sale!  Available at the Missions table at the back after the service. Please pay as you order.

B. Missions Movie Night next Sunday, July 3 at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  We will be showing the movie “End of the Spear”.  We will not be selling tickets for this event. The lovebox will be place at the back for voluntary giving.

We are preparing Care Baskets for our missionaries in Thailand, items they missed back here. Their wish list are the following: Corned Beef, Eden Cheese, Mr. Chips, Graham Crackers, Sinigang Powder Mix, Casino Alcohol, Caladryl Lotion.

COVENANT KEEPERS will meet tonight, June 26, at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  Inviting couples to come and join us for a time of fellowship and instruction.

For those who ordered the H4U Siquijor tshirts, please claim your order from Marlyn.

Today is both Jose Rizal’s birthday and Father’s day. What do they have in common? They are heroes! Rizal is our national hero and Dads are made to be heroes. Yes, the youth are looking for modern heroes today and Dads, if we won’t step up on the plate they will be finding them at the wrong places! But how does a hero look like in the eyes of God?  Hebrews 11 provides us with a list of some of God’s past heroes. They were ordinary people who were used by God. Everyone here can be one of God’s heroes. But what does it take to be a true hero, a Christian hero? You see, a Christian hero is not some superman, endowed with a myriad of abilities and talents. It is an individual who is willing to believe God’s Word, commit himself to God’s Will, and devote himself to God’s Work.

BELIEF IN GOD’S WORD – Today, many looked up to sport stars and athletes, movie stars and musicians as heroes. They are seen, as heroes because in many ways they do things that most of us can’t. But God’s heroes, the heroes of the Bible, were not men and women of extraordinary ability or talent but men and women of extraordinary faith. Every individual listed in Hebrews 11 took God at His Word. From Abraham to Moses to Joseph, etc…

COMMITMENT TO GOD’S WILL – (Read Hebrews 11:13-16Hebrews 11:13-16
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13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. in faith: Gr. according to faith ¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. ¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.  

WP-Bible plugin). “It does not take great men to do great things; it only takes consecrated men.” (Phillips Brooks). Who is a hero? He who conquers his will and surrenders to God’s will! Jesus, our greatest and ultimate hero exemplified it when at the Garden He prayed, “Not My will but Your will be done!” (Matthew 26:39Matthew 26:39
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39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  

WP-Bible plugin). The Holy Spirit chooses the nobodies of the church and makes them somebody when they are committed to God’s will in their lives. The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire for God. We are to be consecrated not to Christian work, but to the will of God, to be and to do whatever He requires.

”Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the kingdom of God on earth”. (James S. Hewett)

DEVOTED TO GOD’S WORK – Heroism is faith transformed into action. The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts – an immense difference. Matthew 23:11Matthew 23:11
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11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  

WP-Bible plugin “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”  There is a Norwegian Proverb that says’ A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer.” In Christ’s service, the heroes are those who work until Christ says it’s time to stop. So Dads, by the grace of God, you can be a hero of faith – those who BELIEVE IN GOD’S WORD, COMMlTTED TO GOD’S WILL and DEVOTED TO GOD’S WORK.

We are gearing up for our upcoming Thailand Mission in July. This year’s theme is “WHATEVER IT TAKES” and our verse is from 2 Cor. 5:142 Cor. 5:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  

WP-Bible plugin  “For Christ’s love compels us . . . “ In line with this, we will have:

A. Missions Dinner with Acoustic Music tonight, June 19 starting at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  Tickets are already sold out. This is a fundraising event and all proceeds will go to our Missions Fund.

B. Thai Missions 2011 T-shirts for sale!  Available at the Missions table at the back after the service. Please pay as you order.

C. Missions Movie Night on July 3 at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  We will be showing the movie “End of the Spear”.  We will not be selling tickets for this event. The lovebox will be place at the back for voluntary giving.

COVENANT KEEPERS will meet next Sunday, June 26, at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  Inviting couples to come and join us for a time of fellowship and instruction.

Today our nation commemorates and remembers the blood, sweat and tears that were shed to gain the freedom that we now enjoy.  I’m very grateful. Thinking of this I wonder what it must have been like to be a prisoner and your life is threatened. But then I realized that there are so many people today who may not be physically in prison or taken hostage but spiritually and emotionally imprisoned. Imprisoned by sin, fear, bitterness, past mistakes, hurts, etc.  You may say, “Me, a prisoner? I’m free to do what I want!” But Jesus put it this way, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34John 8:34
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34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  

WP-Bible plugin). if you have chosen to live your life disobeying God’s commands, you’re a slave.

The good news is that Jesus came to set you free: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32John 8:31-32
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31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  

WP-Bible plugin). God sacrificed His Son on the cross so that you could be set free. This kind of freedom is not the result of loyalty to a country or willingness to fight for a cause; this kind of freedom comes from surrendering your right to live life your way and choosing to live life God’s way.

There were some American soldiers stationed on a small island in the South Pacific during WWII. Monkey meat was a real delicacy on this island, and the islanders showed the Americans how they captured monkeys — 1. Put an apple in a wide-mouth jar. 2. Tie a rope around the jar. 3. Tie the other end of the rope around a tree. 4. Wait patiently. Eventually a monkey will come along, look curiously in the jar, see the apple, reach in and grab it. The monkey’s hand easily compressed to fit into the jar but his fist, holding the apple, was too large to pull out. The monkey, however, would predictably refuse to let go of the apple. The monkey was in effect, tied to the tree by the rope, the jar and the apple. Very soon…monkey adobo!

Now think about this for a moment… Was the monkey too stubborn or too stupid to let go of the apple? You know what? It really doesn’t matter. It is the same result: one dead monkey. Now for the real question…Did the monkey have the apple or did the apple have the monkey? There are so many things that bind us. As long as we hold on to them, their power over us continues.  It is only by letting go that we become free.

True freedom—spiritual freedom—is found only in Jesus Christ. To Christians, it’s “Dependence Day” that set us free – the day when we stop relying upon ourselves and depend upon Jesus to do His work in us.  Are you among those who are “free indeed”? If not, I encourage you to ask Jesus to break the chains that bind you. If you already have found freedom in Christ, take a moment this morning to thank Him for liberating you from the bondage of sin and your past.

It’s back to school and as believers you enter into the battle zone again where there are a myriad of voices that are calling to you from every corner, where different philosophies and ideas of men seduce you to follow their ways.  Now among the chaotic choir of voices, enticing you and trying to lure you into what looks inviting, but is actually a dead end road, there is one voice that cries out with clarity for those who desire to hear—it is the voice of our Father in heaven. And He says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph.5:15-17)

God calls out to us, He desires to teach us, and He wants to protect us from the destruction that comes to those who choose not to listen. Be careful with who you hang-out with. The Bible says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1Cor. 15:33r. 15:33
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33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.  

WP-Bible plugin). It is true that Jesus associated with sinners, and so should we, but He did it to influence them not to be influenced by them. Many Christian college students are swallowed by the world, and that is because they felt alone. But if they plugged in to the body of Christ, they are more than conquerors. Peer pressure is good if it is the right peers.

One time a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny so that flies would come in. The minute he got a “customer” he would clean up on him so that the other flies wouldn’t get suspicious. Then one day a fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean spider web. Old man spider came out and said, “Come in and sit with me.” But the fairly intelligent fly said, “No sir. I don’t see other flies in your house, and I’m not going alone.” Soon after that he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid since lots of other flies were there. So he came in for a landing. Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, “Don’t land there, fool! That’s flypaper!” But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, “Don’t be silly. Those flies are dancing and having a good time. There’s a big crowd. That many flies couldn’t be wrong.” AND YOU CAN GUESS THE REST OF THE STORY!

That so-called fairly intelligent fly was not so intelligent after all. Young people, be smart. Just because everybody else is doing something, it doesn’t make it right. Think before you do something. Don’t always follow the crowd. BAD FRIENDS CAN GET YOU INTO TROUBLE. You have a choice which crowd you are going to hang out with. The world is full of people who will try to lead you down the wrong path. They will laugh and make fun of you when you don’t want to go along with them and their kind of fun. But it is better to walk by yourself and reach your goal, than to hang out with others and miss out on your potential. You’ve got too much at stake, to risk it all on nothing. TAKE HEED. FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS AND YOU WILL BE KEPT!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. BEREAN GETTING DEEPER class resumes on June 7, this coming Tuesday at 7:15 pm, here at CCD.

2. We will be holding another Praise and Worship Seminar this coming June 18 (Saturday) from 9 am to 12 noon, then 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Lunch will not be provided.  If you are interested to join our Praise and Worship teams, this seminar is a requirement. Please sign up at the back after the bible study.

3. We are gearing up for our upcoming Thailand Mission in July. This year’s theme is “WHATEVER IT TAKES” and our verse is from 2 Cor. 5:142 Cor. 5:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  

WP-Bible plugin  “For Christ’s love compels us . . . “ In line with this, we will have a:

• Missions Dinner with Acoustic Music on June 19 starting at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  Tickets will be sold at P200 each and will be available today. Tickets are limited. This is a fundraising event and all proceeds will go to our Missions Fund.
• Thai Missions 2011 T-shirts will also be for sale.  We will have a sample and more details will be announce later.
• Movie Night on July 3 at 6:30 pm here at CCD.  We will be showing the movie “End of the Spear”.  We will not be selling tickets for this event. The lovebox will be place at the back for voluntary giving.

“Return to your 1967 borders…” says US President Barak Obama to the nation Israel, which means, return some lands to the Palestinians, which actually do not belong to them but to Israel.  This prompted Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu to strongly reject Obama’s call. Netanyahu was able to give his speech concerning the issue to the US Congress, pledging to make “painful compromises” to achieve peace with Palestine.

You may be wondering why I’m writing about this update on Israel. For 2 simple reasons: 1) As Christians we are to pray for Israel (Psa.122:6-9). 2) Israel is the divine time-clock of world history. By watching what is happening to the Jewish people, it’s possible to determine what stage has been reached in the Last Days program of God.  When Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 the Jews were dispersed and scattered worldwide. A century ago there was no Israel. The world and even many of the Bible scholars during that time would never thought nor imagine that Israel would become a nation again.  Yet God is true to His promise. On May 14, 1948 the world witness the re-birth of the nation Israel. As soon as the state of Israel was proclaimed in 1948, Jews from the 4 corners of the earth – north, east, south, and west went home. After almost 2,000st 2,000
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Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin years the Jews again had a national homeland. It was a restoration unique in human history. Today the nation Israel is a fact of history with her own Prime minister, her own leaders, her own government and her own well-trained army, air force and navy.

No other nation has a history like the history of Israel: Twice she has been exiled and twice she had been re-gathered. The 2nd exile lasting 1900 years and being a worldwide dispersal; twice she has lost her land and twice she has regained it. No other nation has been dispersed among the nations for at least 2,000st 2,000
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Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin years and was restored to their homeland and still remain an identifiable ethnic unit. They never lost their identity and nor their language. Hebrew is now the language spoken by the Jews of Israel. It’s the only dead language in history that has been restored. The existence of the nation Israel today is an undeniable evidence of God’s sure word of prophecy!

Have you ever wondered why there is so much media attention given to a country, as far as land size is concern, smaller than Luzon? The question is, “Why so much media attention given to Israel?” It is because God said thousands of years ago during the end times there would be a nation of Israel and they would play a prominent role in world events. I’m not Harold Camping who falsely predicted the rapture of the church last May 21, 2011. But the fact is Jesus is returning very soon. The signs are undeniably clear. The question is are you ready?

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Rom.13:11)

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Please start praying for our 2011 Thailand Mission this coming July.

TO EASE OUR TRAFFIC EACH SUNDAY, WE NEED EVERYBODY’S COOPERATION:

• Please no parking, no waiting, no loading in front of the blue gate.
• Please load or unload passengers where you have parked your car and not in front of our blue gate.
• As much as possible, only small vehicles may park in the parking area in front of the church.
• Please do not block any of our neighbor’s driveway.
• We parked only on one side of the street (church’s side). Please be guided accordingly through our traffic personnel.

If you’re reading this and you’re still here on earth this day, then Jesus had not come yesterday. Wrong again, that false prophet who proclaimed that Saturday, May 21, 2011 is the day the Lord will rapture the church! His name is Harold Camping and he is a false prophet! He once proclaimed the Lord’s return would be in 1994 and never happened. And some believed him! When will people learn? Jesus is clear…no one knows the day or the hour (Mk.13:32)! Whoever claims that is a false prophet by the standard of God’s Word!

Now as much as we do not believe such false claims, it did bring to mind again of the fact of Jesus’ return anytime. And in the light of that He said, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap (Luke 21:34Luke 21:34
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34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  

WP-Bible plugin).” Jesus mentions three things that can crush your heart.

First, DISSIPATION – Dissipation means “excess.” Is there anything in your life you are doing “in excess?” For instance, eating is fine, overeating is dangerous; using the internet is okay, but being addicted to it is dangerous.  Being hardworking in a job is good but becoming too busy with it makes your life imbalanced. Having a business is good, but business replacing God has spiritual consequences.  Is there anything excess in your life today? Whatever that is, it’s weighing you down! The only thing you and I should be doing in excess is loving, praying, and serving God!

2^nd, Jesus mentions the danger of DRUNKENNESS as well. Dissipation or excess, leads to drunkenness which leads to dissipation. It’s a vicious circle of cause and effect. Drunkenness represents the desire to dull ones senses by artificial means. Sometimes, life gets so tough many people try to escape from reality by drugging themselves with alcohol or drugs.

A third danger Jesus lists is ANXIETY or WORRY. Some people who would never get drunk or live an excessive lifestyle are eaten up with the cancer of worry and anxiety. Drunkenness can destroy you physically, but worry will destroy you emotionally and mentally. Why did Jesus tell us not to be weighed down by these things? “…And that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap (vs.34b) – In other words, when Jesus returns you don’t want to be found to be unfaithful and lazy servant – busy building your own kingdom but lazy in building God’s kingdom!

Instead, He wants us to KEEP WATCHING AND PRAYING (Luke 21:36Luke 21:36
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36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.  

WP-Bible plugin) – God is up to something very important in the world right now, and if we don’t see it, we won’t know how to pray. Like the disciples, many of the followers of Christ are asleep in the light right now, and while we slumber, God is working.  We need to wake up and start watching and praying. If you aren’t watching, you won’t know how to pray. If you aren’t praying it doesn’t matter what you see.  It doesn’t mean we’re literally and constantly looking up at the sky…but it means always expect that Jesus is going to come any time, any day, so we want to be ready and be found faithful! As Paul wrote to Timothy, we should be “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13Titus 2:13
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13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; glorious...: Gr. the appearance of the glory of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ  

WP-Bible plugin). Are you looking?

ANNOUNCEMENT:

• The Lord surely has blessed the young people!  Thank you CHURCH, for those who helped out, supported in any way, and prayed for the YOUTH CAMP!
• THAILAND TEAM 2011 will start their Mission Training this Monday, May 23 at 7:00 pm, here at CCD.
• COLLEGE CORE will resume this Friday, May 27.
• The Sunday School Ministry will be holding a KIDS OUTREACH SEMINAR this Saturday, May 28, 2011 here at CCD, from 8:30rom 8:30
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  30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  
  
  WP-Bible plugin am to 3:30 pm. It is a seminar/workshop on the different creative gospel presentation methods. This is open to all CCD ministries, fellowships, and outreaches. Lunch and training materials are free. Please sign up at the back after the service.

Those people will never be the same again. H4U Siquijor is once again a victory we all share! Thank you church for partnering with us in this battle that was already won by Christ 2,000st 2,000
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Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin years ago. It will continue to rage until the end of time, but we are always assured of victory. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Rev.12:11)

1) THE BLOOD OF JESUS – When Satan comes sneaking up to you and starts whispering in your ear and starts accusing and telling you how dirty, rotten, sinful you are you just turn to him and you tell him, “Satan, my sins have been placed under the blood of Jesus Christ.” That’s how you overcome him according to the word Calvary.

The victory is NOT in ourselves but faith in the blood of Jesus! It’s not how loud we shout nor whatever religious calisthenics we do or how many catechisms we attend – it’s only through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ! When we confront Satan with the blood of Jesus, he remembers the cross – the sacrifice of Jesus that ultimately disarmed, dethroned and defeated him!

2) THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY – This is the 2nd weapon we believers have for defeating Satan’s attacks – the mouth that testifies of God’s goodness! You see the devil will use every clever devise to keep us from being willing to share our faith with others. He’ll say, “You’re inadequate!” “You don’t know the Bible!” “You’re too young,” “You’re too old!” etc… So many excuses! But beloved, you don’t have to know everything in the Bible to be able to witness. Do you have a testimony? How did you become a Christian? Start there! Every Christian has a testimony. What is a testimony? Acts 4:20Acts 4:20
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20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.  

WP-Bible plugin – “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

3) THEY DID NOT LOVE THEIR LIVES SO MUCH –When the Roman Empire was expanding and sent out legions of soldiers to conquer new lands, every piece of property within sailing distance, they sent two or three ships to these remote countries and remote islands and they would bring their ships up on the shore. Then all the soldiers would get out with all of their weapons and all of their horses and all of their supplies. Then they would set their ships on fire and push them out into the water and watch as their ships would burn. The natives of those countries and those islands laid down their weapons and surrendered in the face of such commitment. The Roman soldiers said, “We did not come to retreat. We came to conquer or to die!” That’s commitment.

When you start burning your boats and start burning your bridges, you start discovering the kind of commitment that really does overcome the devil! This is what offends many people. We like Christ’s invitation, “Come and dine with me,” but when He says, “Come and DIE for me,” we think twice! But this is the cost! Because Jesus gave His life for us, “To live is Christ, to die is gain!” You live for yourself, you lose in the end; you live for Christ today, you gain even more in the end!

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” (Prov. 31: 28-29Prov. 31: 28-29
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28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. ²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. have...: or, have gotten riches  

WP-Bible plugin) Husbands, Dad, Kids, you need to tell your wife and mom what a blessing they are. You need to tell them that what she does for you really matters, not because it’s Mother’s Day, but because they really do matter! You need to express appreciation for everything she’s given you through the years. Everything she does for you is because she loves you. They say that a woman’s work is never done and that’s especially true of a woman’s work at home. Do you know what the most demanding job in the world is? Being a mother and a wife.

Think about it. A mother has to be a nurse, a teacher, a dietician, a housekeeper, and a cook. It takes hard work to build and maintain a family! Rise up and call her blessed! It’s in the ten commandments: ’Honor your father AND your mother. Teenagers and children, God forbid this to happen, but suppose your mom was killed in a car accident this afternoon and you had to go to her funeral Tuesday. What would you wish on Tuesday you had told her today? Tell her before today is up.

And what about you husbands? Would you say these words if you lost your wife this week: “Why did I get upset over such stupid little things? Why didn’t I encourage her more? Why didn’t I build her up and let her know how much I love and appreciate her?” O how we need to live in the light of our dying! Death puts everything in perspective! Husbands, teenagers, and children, praise her while you have her.

For you ladies: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Prov.31:30).” It is interesting that there’s very little emphasis in the Bible 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 3:31 Peter 3:3
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3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  

WP-Bible plugin 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 is not saying that you can’t ever wear nice clothes or make up. But he’s saying that true beauty is deeper than that.

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.

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.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

1. H4U Siquijor Committee Head Debriefing next Sunday, May 15 at 7 pm here at CCD.

2. YOUTH CAMP 2011 is fast approaching!

• THEME: DISCIPLES OF JESUS 2 Timothy 2:22 Timothy 2:2
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  2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. among: or, by  
  
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• DATE: May 15—20
• VENUE: Calinawagan Beach Resort
• COST: P1,600 (food, lodging, & camp t-shirt) Today is the last day to register.
• This is open to all high school and college students.
• We are opening it also to our Youth leaders of our outreaches. If the Lord touches your heart to sponsor any youth from our outreaches please approach the Youth table at the back.
• SNACKS DONATION is highly appreciated.
• Transportation is needed on May 15th and May 20th. Please approach Luke for information.

3. The Sunday School Ministry will be holding an Outreach Seminar on May 28, 2011 here at CCD, from 8:30rom 8:30
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30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  

WP-Bible plugin am to 3:30 pm. It is a seminar/workshop on the different creative gospel presentation methods. This is open to all CCD ministries, fellowships, and outreaches. Lunch and training materials are free. Please sign up at the back after the service.