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Ti Pakaisalakanan Iti Sumangbay a Dakkel a Trahedia
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How can one attain God’s blessings?
How can one attain God's blessings?
Amidst these trying times, there is hope for better livelihood—plentiful harvest, success in work or business, and others. However, such promise is reserved not for anybody but just for the chosen people of God.
By CRISPIN N. FLORENTINO
NOTWITHSTANDING THE CONCERTED efforts of world leaders to address the worsening global economic condition, no concrete measures have so far proved successful in alleviating the miseries of mankind. Adding to these are the calamities, pandemics, and wars taking place in different parts of the globe. Cries for the betterment of society and for the solution of its many ills are prevalent not only in poor countries but also in the richest and most powerful ones. Seeing no clear indication that things will soon improve has led many people around the world to lose hope, unable to cope with life’s vicissitudes. Others blame leaders of nations for their failure to take the proper action. Worst, there are people who come to the point of blaming God for mankind’s sufferings.
Such events, however disheartening, come as no surprise to God’s faithful servants, for they completely understand that while such horrific occurrences happen as manifestations of God’s curse to the world for its wickedness, they firmly believe that they will be spared from these occurrences because the Almighty reserves for them His blessings.
Manifestation of God’s blessings
God promises to pour out His blessings to the livelihood of His people whom He deems worthy. The Scriptures say:
“The LORD your God will bless your work and fill your barns with grain. He will bless you in the land that he is giving you.” (Deut. 28:8 Good News Bible)
Thus, amidst these trying times, there is hope for better livelihood—plentiful harvest, success in work or business, and others. However, such promise is reserved not for anybody but just for the chosen people of God. As the Holy Bible attests:
“Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people.” (Ps. 3:8 New King James Version)
The Bible ascertains that there are those whom God recognizes as His people. They enjoy exclusively the right to attain God’s promises. Thus, those who aspire for God’s blessings should make sure that they belong to His people or those whom God recognizes as His.
The chosen people of God
A person may easily claim he is of God and that he belongs to His chosen people because he calls and prays to Him in times of need. Or he may claim he performs worship services for the Almighty. But, who truly are God’s chosen people? God Almighty, Himself, introduces His people, as:
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (II Chr. 7:14 NKJV)
One characteristic of the chosen people of God is they are called by His name—a name He owns. In these last days or the period called “the ends of the earth,” there are also people whom the Creator acknowledges as His and are indeed called by the name of God, thus:
“Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth—Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” (Isa. 43:5-7 NKJV)
In these last days, the chosen people of God are those whom He called by His name. Which is the name owned by God and by which His people are called? Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
“And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.” (John 17:11 GNB)
The name from God by which His people are called is the name given to Jesus—the name Christ. As the name Israel was given to God’s first nation, so was the name Christ to God’s chosen people in the Christian Era. Thus, how did the apostles call the members of the Church founded by Christ? In Acts 20:28, this is stated:
“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Lamsa Translation)
Thus, God’s chosen people in these last days are the members of the Church Of Christ. They are the ones assured by God of His promises to bless their living.
Condition to attain His blessings
But membership in the true Church Of Christ does not suffice to receive God’s blessings. There are conditions set by God for His servants to be assured of His blessings. What does God require of those who wait for His blessings? In Exodus 23:25:
“So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” (NKJV)
God requires His people to serve Him for Him to bless them. On the other hand, those who refuse to serve God shall surely face His wrath:
“’If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart.’” (Mal. 2:2 NKJV)
A curse awaits those who refuse to give glory to God. Therefore, members of the Church Of Christ must at all times give glory to God.
Giving glory to God
How do the servants of God give glory to Him? The Holy Scriptures answer:
“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.” (Ps. 96:1-3 NKJV)
Singing hymns of praises to God and declaring His glorious and wondrous works are among the ways we can give glory to Him. When do the members of the Church Of Christ perform such? During the congregational worship services as the Book of Psalms declares:
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God. And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice.” (Ps. 95:6-7 NKJV)
Therefore, the people of God should give utmost importance to their congregational worship services, for by this, God is glorified. For this reason, the Administration commissioned by God to oversee His flock in these last days untiringly admonishes the members to uphold worthy worship services of God. Responsive to the call, the members never abandon their obligations to the Almighty. When hard times come, they approach God in the houses of worship. There they cry for help and receive renewed strength from the Most Powerful to enable them to traverse this wicked world. And whenever they receive God’s blessings, they never forget to thank their Maker, offering Him hymns of praises and thanksgiving.
It is no surprise, therefore, that worshiping God is given utmost importance by the Church Of Christ in these last days, amid difficulties, afflictions and adversities that confront the world.
This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine.
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Ordination of new ministers and commemoration of milestone anniversaries
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Executive Minister leads dedication of six houses of worship
Executive Minister leads dedication of six houses of worship
By JUN MIRANDA and VINCE T. BASCO
Date Posted: January 21, 2022
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), led the dedication to the Lord God of six new houses of worship on January 8, 2022 through livestreaming worship service.
In the first pastoral visitation of the Executive Minister for this year, the house of worship of the Local Congregations of Lagawe, Nagtrigoan, Delfin Albano, Lumintao, Langka, and Limbaan, all in the Philippines, were dedicated to God. Brethren from local congregations and ecclesiastical districts that celebrated their milestone anniversaries also connected and attended the worship service.
With this development, the number of constructed and renovated houses of worship of the Church Of Christ during the pandemic has risen to 210.
Lagawe
The Local Congregation of Lagawe, Ecclesiastical District of Nueva Vizcaya became a full-fledged congregation on August 30, 1978. Its house of worship is located in Barangay Poblacion North, Lagawe, Ifugao.
Sustaining damages over time, the congregation’s 150-seater house of worship underwent major renovation beginning on January 20, 2021 and finished on December 18, 2021.
The walls of the house of worship were reinforced, the roof was replaced, new floor tiles were placed, the chairs were fixed, and a parsonage was constructed. Other additions included a Johannus Organ, a new sound system, videoconferencing system, four CCTV cameras, two chandeliers, fire alarm system, and fire suppression system.
“The house of worship is important to us, members of the Church Of Christ, because in here we conduct the worship services and other Church activities. During worship services, we receive the words of the Lord God that all the more strengthen us in our divine election. We are thankful to our Lord God that through the Church Administration, He willed that a beautiful house of worship rise for our brethren here in Lagawe,” Brother Fermin Pacquiao, district supervising minister, said.
Nagtrigoan
Situated in Barangay Nagtrigoan, Pinili, Ilocos Norte, the new house of worship of the Local Congregation of Nagtrigoan, Ecclesiastical District of Batac City, Ilocos Norte can sit 120 worshipers at a time. With the growing number of brethren, the former 60-seater provisional chapel was replaced. Construction of the new house of worship started on January 2, 2021 and was finished on December 11, 2021.
Additions to the house of worship included CCTV cameras, two chandeliers, sound and fire alarm system, and a Johannus Organ. There is also a parking area, concrete fences, and front fence.
“One of the importance of the house of worship for us is this is where we confide to our Lord God our needs and we believe that He listens to our prayers. We promise to God and to the Church Administration that we will love, take care, and value this house of worship,” Brother Cesar Cruz, assistant district supervising minister, said.
Delfin Albano
The house of worship of the Local Congregation of Delfin Albano, Ecclesiastical District of Isabela East is located at Purok 5 San Antonio Delfin Albano, Isabela. The construction started on March 27, 2021 and ended on December 24, 2021. A parsonage was also included in the edifices in the compound.
“We looked forward in having a beautiful house of worship here in our place. We thank the Church Administration for giving as a larger house of worship compared to our former place of worship,” Arcelie Valencia, a deaconess, said.
The former house of worship can only sit 60 worshipers at a time while the new house of worship has a 150 seating capacity.
“We are joyful because we witnessed the dedication of this beautiful house of worship for our congregation. We promise to take care, maintain the cleanliness, and guard our house of worship,” said Abraham Villanueva, head deacon.
Lumintao
A former extension of the Local Congregation of New Dagupan, the Local Congregation of Lumintao, Ecclesiastical District of San Jose, Mindoro Occidental was elevated to local congregation status on October 28, 2009.
Needing a larger house of worship with the increase in number of brethren due to their propagation efforts, the local congregation was blessed with a new one with 110 seating capacity. The construction of the house of worship started on April 10, 2021. Additional edifices in the compound are parsonage, office, and guard house.
“When the local congregation was established in our place, it was a great blessing for us. We are thankful for the local congregation’s establishment,” Jerry Farro, the head deacon, said.
“Our hearts are overflowing with joy because a beautiful house of worship was made for us. We thank our Lord God because, with the Church Administration, He did not forsake us, we will continue to worship Him and fulfill our Church duties, together with our household,” Abel Calpatura, choir leader, expressed.
Langka
Langka Congregation, Ecclesiastical District of Davao Oriental became a local congregation on July 29, 1991. Its 120-seater house of worship stands in Barangay Langka, Lupon, Davao Oriental. Construction of the house of worship began on February 27, 2021 and ended on December 24, 2021.
The new house of worship was fitted with a videoconferencing system, seven CCTV cameras, two chandeliers, sound system, a Johannus Organ, fire alarm system, and fire suppression system. In the compound, a parsonage was built together with a guard post and concrete fence.
“The brethren in Langka are joyful because of the great blessing they received. The house of worship is very important because in here the brethren feel peace and receive joy that serves as an inspiration for them to uphold their active services to the Lord God,” said Brother Wilfredo Sacayanan, district supervising minister.
Limbaan
Brethen in the Local Congregation of Limbaan, Ecclesiastical District of Davao del Norte united in thanking and glorifying God for blessing them, through the Church Administration, with a new house of worship located at Purok 2-A, Barangay Limbaan, New Corella, Davao del Norte.
Limbaan first started as an extension in 1975; within the same year it gained local congregation status. The congregation’s first semi-concrete 88-seater chapel was dedicated to the Lord God on September 14, 2001.
With the continuous addition of new members, the Church Administration approved the construction of a new house of worship that can sit 110 worshipers at a time. Its construction started on April 25, 2021 and took nine months for its completion.
Additions to the new house of worship included CCTV cameras, two chandeliers, fire alarm system, and a Johannus Organ.
“The house of worship is very important to me. Here, I can tell the Lord God of my problems and I can also ask for the blessings that I need. I am thankful for this blessing that was given to us in the local congregation. I will continue to fulfill my duties, together with my family, I promise to unite in all Church endeavors,” Gilda Liubit, one of the brethren, said. — With reports from INC News Section
