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The People Whom God Recognizes As His
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Thanksgiving to God:
a vow we will never break
Thanksgiving to God: a vow we will never break
Church Of Christ members continue to give thanks to God despite everything that they encounter in life, for it is their vow or solemn promise which honors Him.
CONFLICTS BETWEEN nations, volcanic eruptions, violent earthquakes, wildfires, and destructive storms are but some of the events that devastated many lives this year. What made things worse is the global health crisis that caused infections to tens of millions of people and death to more than a million. Further aggravating the situation, the pandemic brought about the downward trend in the economies of many nations—not sparing even the wealthiest countries—which caused a spike in hunger and poverty rates worldwide. In the midst of these, many people have become disheartened, with some even resorting to suicide, thinking it was the best measure to end their miseries.
The servants of God—because they still sojourn in this world—also experience problems and difficulties. In one of his letters, Apostle Paul said:
“After we came to Macedonia, we didn’t have any chance to rest. We were faced with all kinds of problems. We were troubled by enemies and troubled by fears.” (II Cor. 7:5 Contemporary English Version)
Indeed, like the early Christians, members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) today endure troubles and hardships in this life. But through the help of God, they are able to overcome them. They never weaken in the midst of trials. Instead, they gladly face these, for they firmly believe that through trials, they prove that their faith is genuine (I Pet. 1:6-7 Good News Bible). As the trials they face get heavier, they cling to God all the more—and from Him, they receive the strength and the protection that they need.
Church Of Christ members continue to give thanks to God despite everything that they encounter in life. They do this for, like the early servants of God, it is their vow or solemn promise which honors Him:
“Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.” (Ps. 50:14 New King James Version)
“Giving thanks is the sacrifice that honors me, and I will surely save all who obey me.” (Ps. 50:23 Good News Bible)
Also, being true servants of God, Church Of Christ members understand that one of the important parts of the vow to God that they must fulfill is the giving of thank-offerings. The Bible teaches, thus:
“So bring your thank offerings {to share with the other worshipers} and come to be with God. You made promises to God Most High, so give him the things you promised.” (Ps. 50:14 Easy-to-Read Version 2001)
Even during the time of the apostles, Church Of Christ members dedicatedly fulfill this part of their vow to God, regardless of the severity of the trials they face. A good example of dedication is like what the brethren in Macedonia did. Concerning this, Apostle Paul testified:
“Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!” (II Cor. 8:1-3 The Message)
Similarly, despite the effects in the economy brought by the current global health crisis, Church Of Christ members make sure that they are not hindered from giving their thank-offerings, in fulfillment of their vow to God.
Church Of Christ members recognize that, however difficult the situation they find themselves in, the truth remains that they belong to Christ. They realize that their being among the people who belong to Christ is truly a great privilege, for what awaits them is an inheritance greater than any other. For that reason, they never fail to give thanks to God:
“… giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:12-14 NKJV)
Members of the Church Of Christ are the ones redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation). Because of this redemption, they received the right to serve the Lord God (Heb. 9:14) and offer Him true worship (Rom. 12:1). And, they will receive God’s promised inheritance in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 25:31-34).
With this certainty of belonging to Christ and being God’s people in these last days, Church Of Christ members uphold the same conviction as that of the early people of God:
“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart.” (Ps. 34:1-2 Living Bible)
This year that is about to end may have brought untold hardships, problems, and troubles along the way but for God’s people, these will never hinder them from giving thanks to Him. In truth, they were able to surmount all these because of His help and protection. That is why they have the firm conviction that in the years ahead, God will again sufficiently provide for them His chosen ones:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. … And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7, 19 NKJV)
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3,000 Church officers take oath in Quezon District
3,000 Church officers take oath in Quezon District
By DENISE DEJELO and MARK ANDRO MILAN
Date Posted: July 16, 2022
More than 3,000 additional Church officers from various local congregations in the Ecclesiastical District of Quezon, in the Philippines, took their oath of office during a special gathering of Church officers held on June 18, 2022.
Brother Rene J. Panoncillo, General Secretary of the Church, officiated at the sacred gathering from the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Dalahican, the main site. Together with him was the district staff, led by Brother Wilfredo De Luna, district supervising minister.
Preached from the Bible about the significance of being a Church officer, Brother Panoncillo explained to the congregants through their duties they are able to help the Church Administration in caring for the members of God’s nation in these last days. He gave inspiration to the Church officers, old and new alike, by reminding them that those who help in administering the Church are assured of God’s blessings, not just at present but, most importantly, when Judgment Day comes.
The whole proceeding from the main site was beamed live to the houses of worship of other local congregations where the rest of the Church officers, new ones included, were gathered.
After the study of God’s words, Brother Sherwin Mantes, district edification overseer, administered the oath taking of new Church officers.
“With God’s help and mercy, this is yet another great blessing our district has been provided with. This special gathering has brought further inspiration to the Church officers. Indeed, they reaffirmed their unity in all the Church’s endeavors, in which Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister, untiringly leads us,” Brother Mantes said in an interview. — With reports from INC News Section
Central Europe District inducts additional officers in various congregations
Central Europe District inducts additional officers in various congregations
By CROMWELL CORREA and VINCE T. BASCO
Date Posted: July 13, 2022
The Ecclesiastical District of Central Europe, which supervises congregations of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in several European countries including Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, inducted into office a number of brethren for various functions in their respective local congregations. The district-wide oath-taking was held during a special gathering on June 25, 2022.
Among those who took oath were deacons, deaconesses, overseers, secretaries, choir leaders and members, officers in the Christian Family Organizations (CFO), Society of Communicators and Networkers International (SCAN), finance, and technical support for videostreaming (TSV).
Brother Ricardo Adalla, the district supervising minister, officiated at the special gathering from the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Frankfurt City, in Germany. Through the Holy Scriptures, he taught the brethren about the importance of heeding God’s call to hold duties in the Church.
“More officers are truly needed because many people are joining the Church Of Christ. Through our Lord God’s mercy, many brethren in our district took their oath of office today [to care for them],” Brother Adalla said.
After the homily, Brother Jake Edic, assistant district supervising minister, administered the oath-taking of the new Church officers.
“This is a great blessing in my life,” enthused Marcel Voshol who took his oath as third head deacon in the Rotterdam, Netherlands Local Congregation. “I promise to our Almighty God, and to the Church Administration, that I will do my very best in fulfilling my duties.” — With reports from INC News Section
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Preparing for the worst disaster
Preparing for the worst disaster
As people strive to prepare for disasters that abound in this world, there is yet one catastrophic event that is the worst of all.
By ALEJANDRO R. SINO CRUZ JR.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. It has been of utmost importance now more than ever. With all the severe calamities and disasters that are happening around the world, authorities devise safety measures with the aim of helping people avoid, as much as possible, harm and destruction. Agencies of all sorts are trying their best to inform and prepare the general public about the imminent dangers disasters, whether natural or man-made, will bring. Citing news from various parts of the globe, we can find calamities of horrific magnitude that led to loss of lives, leaving many homeless, and destruction of properties and infrastructures.
There are reports of floods, tornadoes, typhoons, and hurricanes causing widespread devastation. Earthquakes and volcanic explosions cause enormous damage to communities. Wildfires adversely affect the lives of people living nearby. As a matter of fact, lists of catastrophes have been bringing pain, distress, and despair to the lives of multitudes of people. Making things worse, there are man-made tragedies that also plague our society nowadays. Incidents of terrorist attacks, major accidents, and widespread killings abound, not only in places prone to danger and social unrest, but also in places that were once considered peaceful and safe to live in. Deadly diseases, several of which still have no cure, are also terrifying threats to people’s lives. Epidemics break out now and then in different places.
In the face of these perilous circumstances, people are trying their best to be fully prepared, so that in the event that any of these cataclysms hits their places, they may, at the most, be saved from utter destruction.
The most dreadful disaster
As people strive to be ready against disasters that abound in this world, there is yet one catastrophic event that is the worst of all. This is what people should all the more be prepared for. The Bible mentions of a day that the Lord God had appointed to take place:
“Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained …” (Acts 17:31 New King James Version)
The day being referred to by this biblical pronouncement is none other than Judgment Day. Apostle Peter described how dreadful that day would be in II Peter 3:7, 10:
“But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store, by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (NKJV)
So, if everything will be consumed by fire—“the earth and the works that are in it” and even the “heavens … and the elements will melt with fervent heat”—this only means that this is the worst disaster which is yet to come. If people exhaust every means to prepare for calamities, then all the more they should make the most important preparation for the inevitable day of Judgment.
The signs of its coming
An essential part of disaster-preparedness programs is the forecasting and warning that concerned agencies broadcast to inform the public of imminent danger. However, they could only warn people of natural calamities, not the impending day of Judgment. But the Savior Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, during His ministry here on earth, had already warned about the coming of the day of great destruction. He mentioned the signs that people will see when the end of the age or the Day of Judgment, which is also His Second Coming, is “near” and “at the doors” (Matt. 24:3, 33 NKJV). Christ even specified the signs when He said that people “will hear of wars and rumors of wars” and “nation will rise against nation” as well as “kingdom against kingdom,” and that “there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (Matt. 24:6-8 NKJV).
It is a common knowledge that wars have been going on since the time of ancient civilizations. Likewise, throughout the course of history, there are many recorded cases of famines, earthquakes, pestilences or disease epidemics in various places. However, when the Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples about the events that will signal the coming of Judgment Day, He referred to “a specific time during which all of these phenomena would be in evidence at the same time. The first such time in world history occurred during the years of World War 1 (1914-1918)” (footnote, Matt. 24:6-8 Last Days Bible). Thus, the world now is in the time period “the last days” or the time when Judgment Day is near, at the doors.
There is no time to waste in preparing for the coming of Judgment Day since that day “is near—very near and coming fast!” (Zeph. 1:14 Good News Bible). On that day, the destruction will be so great that “the whole earth will be destroyed by the fire” and not even all “silver and gold” will be able to save the people from being destroyed (Zeph. 1:18 GNB). Hence, even wealth and riches cannot save the people of the world from the looming desolation.
People must prepare
People might ask, “How then can we prepare for that most dreaded day and when will it come?” Many have tried to predict when the day of Judgment will happen but to no avail. This is because “no one knows … when that day and hour will come” except the Father in heaven (Matt. 24:36 GNB). For this reason, the Savior Himself issued forewarnings, declaring what people should do. Christ exhorts all people to “always be ready” because His Second Advent will occur at a time when people are “not expecting Him” (Matt. 24:44 GNB).
If wealth and riches cannot save the people of this world from the fiery destruction, then how can they be ready for it? Apostle Peter further clarified that people should “do [their] best … to be at peace with him” (II Pet. 3:14 GNB). And those who are found to be at peace with the Lord God are the ones who “were called in one body” (Col. 3:15 NKJV).
Being called in one body
Although Judgment day is such a terrifying day to reckon with, the Bible clearly offers a solution for people to be saved. The apostles taught that people should do their best to be found at peace, that is to be called in one body. In Colossians 1:18, Apostle Paul taught that the body being referred to is the body of Christ, the Church (NKJV). He further specified the name of the Church that is the body of the Lord Jesus Christ:
“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” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation).
No wonder the Church Of Christ that emerged in the Philippines in these last days has intensified its efforts in all of its endeavors, especially in the field of propagating God’s words to as many people as possible so they may also be called to enter the Church Of Christ. The day of Judgment is very near and coming fast. There is no preventing it. So, people should waste no time in doing their best to ready themselves.
However, it is very important to note that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself also taught how to complete the preparations to ensure salvation on Judgment Day. He made certain to the members of the Church Of Christ during the first century—that also applies to the members of the Church Of Christ in these last days—who among His disciples will be saved on Judgment Day: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13 NKJV).
Therefore, those who are prepared for the worst disaster and are sure to be saved from the eternal destruction that it will bring are those who became members of the Church Of Christ who remain until the end, whether the end of the world or the end of their life, whichever will come first.
This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine, June 2016 issue.
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