"..THY WORD IS TRUTH.."

BAD COMPANY

The Story is told of two parrots who lived near each other. The one was accustomed to singing Hymns while the other was addicted to swearing. The owner of the latter obtained permission for it to associate with the former in the hope that its bad habit would be corrected. Instead the opposite happened as both learned to swear.
This little story reminds us of a passage in ( I Cor.13:33) which sys, " Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits". A person may feel like he can associate with wicked people and not be hurt. He may think that he can be a good influence on the wicked person. Perhaps he can, but influence can go in two directions, and there is a great danger of the wicked person influencing the good person. If a person thinks otherwise, he is " Deceived". Young people, as well as older people, need to pick their friends carefully. Remember, " Evil company corrupts good habits."

"..THY WORD IS TRUTH.."

A RESOUNDING SERMON

Halfway through the preacher's sermon, a woman seated in the front pew began snoring. The Preacher motioned to the woman's 6- years old daughter, hoping the little girl would wake her mother up. But the girl stayed perfectly still. When the woman's snoring grew even louder, the Preacher-speaking in a hushed voice-asked the girl to rouse her mother. To which the girl replied, " YOU WAKE HER UP. YOU'RE THE ONE WHO PUT HER TO SLEEP" ( quote from an unknown source).

"..THY WORD IS TRUTH.."

WHERE ARE YOU LISTED?

A National survey for various churches revealed these startling facts about church members:

10 % Cannot be found

20 % Never attend

25 % Never Pray

35 % Never read the word of God

40 % Never contribute to the Lord's work

70 % Never attend Sunday evening worship

75 % Never assume responsibility in the program of the church

95 % Never win a soul to Christ and

100 % EXPECT TO GO TO HEAVEN

WHERE ARE YOU LISTED IN THE SURVEY?

"..THY WORD IS TRUTH."

THE FATAL ACCIDENT
by: Dario D. Belviz

While in our travel at Northern Palawan last February 10th to 14th 2009, we are surprised to see the wreck passenger Jeepney at zigzag road of Northern Palawan. According to some people in the area this passenger jeepney was crash one week ago, it was loaded of more than 50 sacks of rice and not less than 20 passengers. Unfortunately, three people were died, including the driver, and the conductor. Brethren and friends, we are always reminded of the lessons we can take from this tragedy;

DEATH COMES TO US ALL: Death is described by the scriptures as a house to which man is brought (Job 30:23). The wise man said “For the living know that they shall die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The Hebrew Told: “and it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment “(Hebrew 9:27). The Psalmist informed” “ what man is that liveth, and shall not see death” (Psalm 89:48). Again, the wise man emphasized “there is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death...” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). So, Nobody can escaped in the day of death, all ages die, infants, young school children, teenagers, early 20’s, the middle aged, the older, whether rich or poor, wise or foolish.(Eccl.9:1-2).

WE NEVER KNOW WHAT A DAY MAY BRING FORTH: We never know that before the day the death of those passengers, the driver and the conductor, maybe they were happy to talk with their wife, and children. These love ones, had no idea that it is the last time that they could talk. They would never see them again..!. The Proverb says “ Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not a day may bring forth” ( Proverb 27:1). James said it this way, “whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow” (James 4:14). So, we all need to live everyday as if it were the last..!

LIFE IS SHORT: The Psalmist said “Remember how short my time is..!(Psalm 89:47), “ a handbreadth”(Psalm 39:5), “a step”(I Sam.20:3), “ a flower that is cut down” (Job 14:1-2), “ of few days”(Job 14:1), as “a grass’(Psalm 103:15, “ as a shadow”(Job14:2), “ a vapor” ( Jas.4:14), “ a moment”(I Cor.4:17). These are the Lord’s description of the brevity of life. So, if our life is really short and frail, we need to value our time “.. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12) a wise man will number his days, realizing that they will come to an end. In numbering our days, we need to learn to make our days count. We need to redeem the time (Eph.5:16).

CONCLUSION: Life is a precious gift – do not neglect it (Eccl.3:12-13, 22; 11:9-12:1, 13-14). God graciously gives us time and opportunity to learn and obey him to avoid eternal death for our sins (Rome 3:23; 6:23; 2:3-4; 2 Pet.3:9). In view of death, my friends, today is the day you should repent of every sin and obey Jesus Christ.( Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16).

Preaching Trip at Northern Palawan - 02/10-14/2009

My dear Brethren, this last February 10th - 14th 2009, I am blessed again to have another Preaching trip at Northern Palawan, together with our some fellow dedicated gospel Preachers from Southern and Northern part of Palawan. Namely; brother Jonathan Sapitula, Emmanuel Sapitula, Sammy Cabansa, Edward Belando, Judson Montimor, Mitozyl Sanchez, Alberto Jabagat, and Mike Garcia. We thanks to the Lord to this opportunity, because we continually preach thy Word and to visit our dear brethren. Like the apostle Paul said to Barnabas " let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they do" ( Acts 15:36). But our trip is not only to visit them but.."exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much Tribulations enter into the Kingdom of God" ( Acts 14:22). So, my dear brethren and friends, once again, I am glad to share to you some of our photos during this trip, our Home Bible study and baptism. God bless you all thank you so much - brother Dario D. Belviz

Our Photos while waiting the time to begin our Home Bible study to one of the contact at Kemdeng Village San Vicente, Palawan. I am standing from left, then followed by bro. Emmanuel Sapitula ( Preaches at Babanga church of Christ - Brookes Point, Palawan), bro. Alberto Jabagat ( Preaches at Kemdeng church of Christ -San Vicente, Palawan). bro. Mitozyl Sanchez ( Preaches at Sandoval church of Christ - Roxas, palawan), Bro. Edward Belando ( Preaches at Burirao church of Christ - Narra, Palawan), bro. Jonathan Sapitula ( Preaches at Locon and Mantalong church of Christ), bro. Judson Montimor ( Preaches at Aramaywan-2 church of Christ - Narra, Palawan) and bro. Sammy Cabansa ( Preaches at Tagpirara and Saraza church of Christ - Brookes Point, Palawan).

Brother Jonathan Sapitula Preaching the "Gospel Plan of Salvation". The contact Mr. Elezer attentively listened to the word of God that we had preached to him..!

Our Home Bible study at the Village of Kemdeng at San Vicente Palawan. This photo was taken at the house of Mr. Elezer..!

This Photo was taken infront of San Vicente Public Market in San Vicente, Palawan. From Left: brother Roberto Jabagat, Myself, Edward Belando, Emmanuel Sapitula, Judson Montimor, Sammy Cabansa, Mitozyl Sanchez, and brother Jebrel Jabagat out local guide..!

Brother Mitozyl Sanzhez doing his task in Preaching the gospel. He preached about the "Gospel plan of Salvation" to the family of Leo Chavez at the Village of Canique Taytay, Palawan..!

This Photo was taken at the Farm House of Mr. Leo Chavez (seated in front holding the Bible) at the Village of Canique Taytay, Palawan. He is very attentive in listening the word of God that we had shared to him and to his family. We hope and pray that this family will obey the gospel soon..!

Brother Jonathan Sapitula and I rendered a short message to these two souls ( Vic Gacia and Allan Garcia). Instructing them of their obligation and responsibility as a Christian after their Baptism..!

Brother Mitozyl Sanchez and brother Judson Montimor officiated this baptism..!

Two souls were baptized into the one body of Christ at Busybees Taytay, they are Vic Garcia-47 years old, formerly in the faith of Catholicism, and Allan Garcia 40 years old. We rejoice to our Lord Jesus Christ to these new addition to His Kingdom.Please pray for them too that they will continue to served the Lord faithfully ( Rev. 2:10)

Our Photos right after the baptism. I am standing from left, then followed by brother Judson Montimor, Mitozyl Sanchez, Vic Garcia, Allan Garcia, Macio Llanera, Sammy Cabansa, Edward Belando, Emmanuel Sapitula, Mike Garcia with his to little children Jaylo and Mikeluz..!

The faces of Preachers while on travel were all dirty, tired, but happy...!

My photo during our Preaching Travel at Northern Palawan. The road is in bad shape and dusty..!

"..THY WORD IS TRUTH."

“I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” – NOT MY CHURCHES!

by: Dario D. Belviz

JESUS SAID: “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”
(Matthew 16:18). My friends what can we learn from this clear statement of Jesus? Join me open your Bible and “let us plead together” – Isaiah 43:26. When Christ said “I will build my church” it means that;

1.) The church had not yet built when Jesus declared these words: I heard one time from the mouth of renowned Tele-evangelist here in the Philippines that according to him, the church mentioned by Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18 had already established many years ago, he proved it by using Acts 7:38. If this kind of explanation is true, then, Jesus Christ would not have said “I will build my church” rather, he would say, “I have already built my church”. Friends, the church were not established prior to the declaration of Christ promise. We should be aware “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirit whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” – I John 4:1.

2.) Jesus was to be the Builder of the church: The church was not established by Moses or other Patriarchs; it was not also built by Joseph Smith, Alexander Campbell or any other man who called themselves as God’s Messenger in the last days. It is very clear from the light of the scriptures that only Jesus Christ is the Builder, Author, great architect, the foundation and finisher of the church. (I Corinthians 3:10-11).

3.) The church belongs only to Christ: Jesus alone own the church, NOT MAN. Jesus Christ purchased it with His own blood – Acts 20:28 “ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flocks over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood”. From this pin of Apostle Paul, we can learn that Christ did not purchase the church until he shed his own blood, or the church was not established before his death at the cross. Jesus Christ called it, “my church” (singular) not “my churches” (plural). The Scriptures also teaches us that there is only “ONE BODY” or “ONE CHURCH” (Eph. 4:4; Col.1:18, 24). If the claims of Denominational teachers that “ALL CHURCHES” throughout the world are owns by Christ was correct, then, Jesus Christ did not tell us the truth when He said “I will build my church”. My dear friend’s only “ONE CHURCH” is belong to Christ. It is under His Authority since He is the head of the body – the church (Matthew 28:18; Col.1:18, 24).

Now my dear friend’s, we know that Jesus Christ built His own church and established His Kingdom (Acts 2:47; 5:11; Col.1:13, 18, Revelation 5:9-10; Acts 20:28). We cannot be right before Jesus if we are not in His body – the church (I Peter 2:5-9). Christ is the Savior of the body – the church (Eph.5:23; Col.1:18, 24). Where are you now my friends, are you a member of the Lord’s Body – the church? If not, I invite you to search the scriptures (John 5:39; 2 Tim.3:15-17) hear the word (Rome 10:17) Believe (Hebrew 11:6) Repent (Acts 17:30) Confess (Rome 10:9-10) be Baptized (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21) and the Lord added you to the church “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” – Acts 2:47.