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Being with God is being a Church Of Christ member
Being with God is being a Church Of Christ member
It is only by having God in their lives that people will enjoy His blessings. Indeed, it is exceedingly important to have God with us.
By ERAÑO G. QUINITIO
BY AND LARGE, people would certainly say yes if asked if they want our Lord God’s blessings, more so now that they go through problems, sorrows, and troubles take place either simultaneously or successively.
Certainly, it is only by having God in their lives that they will enjoy His blessings. This is not mere opinion but based on God’s truth written in the Bible. Indeed, it is exceedingly important to have God with us.
The evil of not having God
Apostle Paul described the evil of not having God in people’s lives, thus:
“Remember that in those days you were living utterly apart from Christ; you were enemies of God’s children, and he had promised you no help. You were lost, without God, without hope.” (Eph. 2:12 Living Bible)
To be without God is to live without hope of His promised help. Hence, people in such condition will certainly not benefit from God’s blessings. Worse, they are considered His enemies. Apostle Paul identified them as the people “living utterly apart from Christ.” They do not have any relationship with Him. And so, they cannot “confidently expect to go to heaven” (Eph. 2:12 Translation for Translators) or be saved because they do not belong to the people whom God have chosen—the ones to whom He has given the right to serve Him—and with whom God made a covenant or agreement. Hence, there is “nothing good to hope for” if people are not counted among those God has chosen (Eph. 2:12 EasyEnglish Bible).
In just one body
On a positive note, Apostle Paul described how good it is to be among God’s chosen people. He said of them: “God loves you” and “you were all called together in one body [the church as the body of Christ] to have peace” (Col. 3:12, 15 Expanded Bible).
God’s chosen people are called together in one body or organization, not many—they are not scattered or divided into different sects or denominations. That one body is our Lord Jesus Christ’s Church. There is no other church wherein people must be gathered to be counted among God’s chosen people and to be recipients of His blessings except the Church that is the body of Christ. People in this Church are loved by God. They have peace with Him and the confidence of being saved. The body of Christ, which He called “my church” (Matt. 16:18 Today’s New International Version) is what the apostles called the Church Of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation).
People really need to be in the Church Of Christ—the flock in which Christ commands them to come or enter to be saved (John 10:9, 16; Acts 20:28 Lamsa). Refusal to join it means turning down the opportunity to receive God’s blessings and the promised salvation.
For this reason, Church Of Christ members have further intensified their efforts in the work of sharing their faith, patiently convincing their fellowmen to believe that it is not enough to be in just any religion of their own liking to be recognized, be blessed, and be saved by God—they have to be in the true Church Of Christ.
The true Church Of Christ
For their part, members of the Church Of Christ will never separate from the Church because they have been assured of receiving salvation and entrance to heaven, as Apostle Paul states, thus:
“But you have come into the reality (of which the symbols only pointed to), to Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem—the heavenly city of the living God—and you are part of that city. You have come to join millions upon millions of angels rejoicing in God’s presence, into the heavenly sanctuary—the true church of Christ—whose identities are stored in heaven …” (Heb. 12:22–23 Remedy New Testament)
The verses mention about Mount Zion which is also called the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city of the living God. He Himself is there as well as the millions upon millions of angels and the heavenly sanctuary or the true Church Of Christ. Hence, the Bible itself proves that the Church Of Christ will go to heaven.
Inspired by the great reward it brings—salvation and eternal life—Church members heed God’s instruction not to “throw away [their] confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens” (Heb. 10:35–36 New Living Translation). Church Of Christ members have more confidence knowing that what God lays in store for them is not just a source of living but, most importantly, salvation.
Although life here on earth is filled with troubles, sorrows, trials, and problems, God’s servants firmly believe that all these will be things of the past—to be replaced with pure joy which no one can take away from them. Hence, they believe that reaching the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, will put an end to all their problems especially the grave ones. That is why they heed the call of the apostles not to throw away their confident trust in the Lord no matter what happens. As they focus their attention on the great reward brought by their divine election, they patiently endure, striving to overcome sufferings just so they can obey God’s will—dedicating themselves to attending the worship service, helping in the work of propagation, and renewing their life, to name a few.
‘Where will my help really come from?’
Knowing that life’s problems, sorrows, and troubles come whether simultaneously or successively, members of the Church Of Christ turn to the only One Who can help them—the Almighty God. Psalms 121:1–3 state, thus:
“I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. He will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep.” (Easy-to-Read Version)
God’s true servants firmly believe that the Creator of heaven and earth will not let them fall. He is always there to help them with their needs. They receive the much-needed help when they “look up to the hills,” referring to the hills surrounding Zion where the temple was (Ps. 121:1–3 EXB)—the place where God’s chosen servants conduct their worship. Hence, the worship service is the best time for God’s chosen to ask Him for help. When they ask for God’s help, especially in the worship service, He will not fail them. God will remove the disappointments from their lives. That is why they do not forsake their worship services.
So, when Church members have problems, they conduct devotional prayers in the place of worship. They know that God will all the more listen to them in that place which He has consecrated for His Name and glory to dwell.
Although to live in this world is becoming more difficult nowadays because of the many things to endure—problems, trials, and poverty which remains unsolved no matter what people do—nevertheless, true Iglesia Ni Cristo members who expect God’s help will never lose hope (Ps. 119:81–83, 114). That is the conviction of God’s servants. They may have problems that make them feel weak, but they do not lose their hope in God’s help, for He has promised it.
At times, God allows His people to go through trials so they can prove that they are worthy of receiving His blessings. Though they encounter heavy problems and get afflicted with illnesses, they remain obedient to God’s commandments and cling to His promise that He will not fail them. He is helping them go through those things. They might have been heavily burdened in life, but they beg the Father in heaven to make them strong through His power they feel most especially during the worship service. He is their refuge and shield and His promises are their only source of hope. When they kneel and pray to God to ask for His help, they beg Him to reach out to them. They implore Him not to allow even one member of their family to be excluded from being saved on Judgment Day.
This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine, February 2020 Issue.
For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph
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New house of worship for Paddad Congregation dedicated to God
New house of worship for Paddad Congregation dedicated to God
By XY ZSA MELCHOR and VINCE T. BASCO
Date Posted: June 1, 2022
The new house of worship the Church Administration built for the Local Congregation of Paddad, Ecclesiastical District of Isabela South, in the Philippines, was dedicated to God through a worship service on May 7, 2022.
A replacement for the old 80-seater chapel, the new worship building, which began construction in February of 2021, now stands along Maharlika Highway, Barangay Paddad, Alicia, Isabela. With a seating capacity of 120 worshipers, the sacred edifice is equipped with an air-conditioning system, CCTV installation, as well as videoconferencing system.
Brother Dominador Tapang Jr., the district supervising minister, led the dedication worship service. In his homily, he reminded the brethren through a biblical lesson that the house of worship should be accorded with the highest regard because it is the place where the Lord God is praised and worship. He exhorted the brethren to take care of the house of the Lord and not to forsake their worship services to Him even in the midst of hardships, for in their gatherings He grants them His spiritual blessings.
“We are thankful to our Lord God because through Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, our Executive Minister, our congregation has been blessed with a beautiful house of worship,” Eraño Garcia, head deacon, expressed. “We experienced being flooded before because the highway was higher than our former house of worship. Now, our new house of worship is elevated.”
The brethren from Paddad firmly believed that the Lord God answered their devotional prayers for a new house of worship. “I witnessed how the brethren looked forward to the dedication of the house of worship and their concern for it as they cleaned it preparing for the momentous occasion. They will fulfill their promise of taking care of the house of worship,” Brother Jhonber Kheen Repato, resident ministerial worker, said. “Even nonmembers express admiration to the holy edifice. We conducted evangelical missions after the dedication service during which many guests attended and will continue to listen to the biblical teachings upheld by the Church Of Christ,” he added.
“Despite the trials in life, even those brought by the pandemic, we are thankful because a new house of worship was built for us, this is a great blessing from God that we will never forget,” Mary Jane Larona, a choir member, enthused. — With reports from INC News Section
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CFO Day brings together brethren from United Kingdom District
CFO Day brings together brethren from United Kingdom District
By KEITH DIMABUYU and ANTONIO G. CAÑAVERAL JR.
Date Posted: May 31, 2022
In unity with the entire Church, brethren from every congregation in the Ecclesiastical District of United Kingdom gathered at Thetford Forest and Kielder Water & Forest Park in the United Kingdom, on May 2, 2022, to celebrate CFO Day.
Brother Glenn Gomez, the district supervising minister, supervised the event with the aid of all the ministers, ministerial workers, and CFO district officers. He said, “The CFO Day aims not only to fulfill the will of our Lord God that we unite with our spiritual leaders but also to provide us activities that would strengthen the bond of the Christian brotherhood, all the more strengthen the unity of the brethren in the Church, and also to edify the faith of one another.”
Spearheaded and facilitated by the Christian Family Organizations district officers, the event featured several fun activities for brethren and guests. “We took time to prepare and organize this district-wide activity. We thought of a spacious venue so that we can gather to celebrate CFO Day,” narrated JP Dosdos, the KADIWA district president. “This is the first time that the entire district has been able to gather [since the pandemic]. And it’s refreshing to see that the brethren coming here enjoyed themselves and the unity of each other’s company.”
Buklod, KADIWA, Binhi, and Children’s Worship Service (CWS) members enjoyed face painting, BBQ and halo-halo competition, family fun games, and nature walk. The Society of Communicators and Networkers International (SCAN) took rounds in fun cycling while the Christian Employee Association (CEA) and Christian Brotherhood International (CBI) played the Scavenger Hunt.
“It’s nice to see everyone congregated in one place,” said Louise Dominguez, a KADIWA and choir member from the Local Congregation of Norwich, England. “We have been in separate locations for a long time. Having fun together is a refreshing feeling.”— With reports from INC News Section
Capitol Hill and Lethbridge brethren unite in proclaiming God’s words
Capitol Hill and Lethbridge brethren unite in proclaiming God’s words
By JADE HAYASHI and ROSE LHYN GAVIOLA
Date Posted: May 27, 2022
Doing their part in the intensified efforts of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in propagating the true Christian faith, brethren from the two local congregations in the Ecclesiastical District of Calgary, Canada invited many people to the evangelical mission held recently by their respective congregations.
On May 6, 2022, brethren from the Local Congregation of Capitol Hill accompanied their friends and loved ones who accepted their invitation to their congregation’s house of worship to listen to the words of God. The evangelistic activity was led by Brother Roland Gaviola, the district supervising minister.
Meanwhile, on May 8, brethren from the Local Congregation of Lethbridge, together with those in the Taber Group Worship Service (GWS), proclaimed the gospel through an evangelical mission which was also led by Brother Gaviola. Their collective efforts were not in vain as many of their friends and loved ones accepted their invitation and gathered at the house of worship of the Lethbridge Congregation.
In both occasions, Brother Gaviola highlighted from the Bible who the true beneficiaries of the Lord Jesus Christ’s redemptive act are, pointing out the importance of obeying Christ’s commandment of joining the true Church Of Christ to be certain of attaining salvation. — With reports from INC News Section
South Korea, New Zealand districts hold evangelical missions to mark FYM’s 136 birth anniversary
South Korea, New Zealand districts hold evangelical missions to mark FYM’s 136 birth anniversary
By CHRIS PUGAY and ROXANNE ROSQUITA
Date Posted: May 26, 2022
One with the entire Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in commemorating the 136th birth anniversary of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, God’s Messenger in these last days, the ecclesiastical districts of South Korea and New Zealand held district-wide evangelical missions on May 10, 2022.
In South Korea, through the leadership of the district supervising minister, Brother Roderick Yome, every local congregation conducted an evangelical mission at its place of worship. The study of God’s words was led by the resident minister or ministerial worker.
The said evangelical missions were also live streamed to reach the guests of the brethren who opted to witness the evangelistic activity from their homes.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the evangelical missions were led by the ministers of the gospel, including the district staff led by Brother Dennis Dahunan, the district supervising minister.
The brethren carried out the said propagational activity by bringing their loved ones, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to their respective houses of worship for them to learn more about God’s teachings upheld in the Church Of Christ.
“We, the members of the Church Of Christ, commemorate the birth anniversary of Brother Felix Manalo because God’s mercy is manifest through His sending of the Messenger. Through him, people in these last days were able to learn about God’s pure teachings that are written in the Bible, thereby receiving the hope of salvation,” said Brother Marco Mangune, a minister of the gospel, assigned in Rotorua, New Zealand. — With reports from INC News Section
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