How can one attain God’s blessings?

Posted on January 24, 2022January 24, 2022 by pasugoeditor

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.

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph

How are you spending your life?

Posted on January 17, 2022January 17, 2022 by pasugoeditor

How are you spending your life?

We must know what should rank first in our order of priorities lest we be spending our days in this world in vain or without hope.

By MARLEX C. CANTOR

TO ASK YOURSELF this question is a significant thing to do especially in these uncertain times, when the worst possible catastrophe can strike anyone, anywhere, and anytime. The more we are reminded about how fragile human life is, the more we see how important it is for us to evaluate ourselves and the way we live our momentary existence.

In a busy world where everyone and everything are moving in a very fast pace, we do ourselves a great favor by taking time off for self-reflection. We do not want to come to that point where, looking back at everything we have done, we would find our lives empty and lament these very same sad words written in the book of Job:

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.” (Job 7:6 New King James Version)

So, have you been living your life meaningfully or are you among those who are spending their lives without hope? As we look into our hearts in search of the answers, let us take into account what the Lord God has to say as written in the Holy Scriptures.

What are your goals in life?

We may begin by examining our goals or aspirations in life, since these are what fuel one’s actions, which, in turn, determine his fate. In one of His parables, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of a man whose success may very well remind us of the “good life” that many hardworking individuals today dream of:

“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?” So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, I have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry’.” (Luke 12:16-19 NKJV)

Here we see the triumph of a man who became so rich that he had to bring down his old barns to build new and bigger ones just to have enough room for all his possessions. Having found that he had more than enough for his future needs, he sat down and reckoned with amazement how wealthy he had become. Then, he told himself to indulge in all the pleasures that he could buy that time.

Isn’t this the kind of life that many people today want to have? Just imagine how convenient it would be to have more than enough riches to spend for a lifetime. Unfortunately, it is not where the rich man’s story ended. In the next part of the parable, we see that there’s actually more to feel sorry for than to be envious of the rich man and his inordinate wealth:

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21 NKJV)

Behind the rich man’s glory did lie a great irony. Despite all the riches he had laid up for himself, none of them was able to prevent—or prepare him for—his sudden death. What a folly it is to see that all the riches you had worked hard all your life to achieve would only be left for others to enjoy.

How far would you go to succeed?

There is nothing wrong with dreaming of becoming rich and with working hard to achieve such dream as long as one acknowledges rightfully his limitations and sets his priorities accordingly.

While financial success is important for man to survive in this world, it should not be his main and only concern. When one allows himself to be controlled by his ambitions for material possessions, there is always the danger of finding himself in grave misfortunes. Aren’t there people who have gone so far as to concoct evil schemes and take desperate measures to make themselves richer? In the end, the price such people have paid for the crimes they have committed have greatly outweighed whatever riches they have amassed for themselves through evil means.

And, even if there are those who manage to get away with their wicked deeds, they will still have to face the same sad reality about life’s frailty as the rich man in Christ’s parable did, for death will surely come their way. The Bible says of such people:

“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.”
(Phil. 3:19 New International Version)

The ultimate destruction that awaits the worldly is the perdition of their souls in the fire of God’s wrath on Judgment Day (II Pet. 3:7), when everything that they have labored for and enjoyed in this world will be burned and will amount to nothing. Thus, the bottom line for those whose lives revolve solely around the pursuit of worldly riches is a hopeless and a meaningless existence, for when they die, “their hope dies with them. Confidence placed in riches comes to nothing” (Prov. 11:7 Good News Bible).

What ranks first in your order of priorities?

Clearly, then, we must know what should rank first in our order of priorities lest we be spending our days in this world in vain or without hope. What should be on top of our priority list? The Lord Jesus taught:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:25, 33 NIV)

To many, the very first order of survival is to attend to the basic necessities of life—what to eat, what to wear, and where to live. In truth, however, these things are only of secondary importance. For, according to Jesus, foremost of all that man should seek are the kingdom of the Lord and His righteousness.

It is in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son where there is redemption and the forgiveness of sins through Christ (Col. 1:13-14). To seek the kingdom, therefore, is to seek to be redeemed by Christ. Such redemption is what we all need above anything else, for it is on account of sin that all of mankind, having sinned, are destined to suffer death and eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Rev. 20:14). Indeed, seeking redemption through Christ is much more important than seeking material needs, as proven further in the following biblical passage:

“There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, …” (Prov. 13:7-8 NKJV)

Those whose lives have been ransomed or redeemed by Christ through the shedding of His blood have the certainty that, when they die, God will redeem them from the grave and take them to Himself in His heavenly kingdom where they will experience eternal rest (Ps. 49:15; Rev. 21:1-4). And so, regardless of how much they earn for a living or how successful they turn out to be in this world, they are truly most fortunate—“rich toward God.” For, unlike the others who may be rich in material possessions, they who have benefited from Christ’s redemption possess a living hope:

“Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.” (I Pet. 1:3-4 GNB)

This is the exact opposite of how many people in this world are spending their lives. A life that is filled with a living hope is what those who have been redeemed by Christ have.

Have you found what you should be looking for?

“Have you been redeemed by Christ?” “How can you be among those He redeemed?” “What is it that Christ redeemed with His blood?” These are among the questions that should guide us if we want to free ourselves from the emptiness that characterizes the lives of many people in this world. Contrary to what many have been led to believe, it is not the whole human race which was redeemed or purchased by Christ with His blood when He died on the cross; it’s the whole flock, which is the Church Of 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 purchased with his blood.”
(Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)

Seeking the Lord’s kingdom, therefore, involves entering or joining the Church Of Christ, which was purchased or redeemed by Christ with His blood. Have you found this Church? Is the church you belong to the true Church Of Christ? These are matters we should turn our attention to, more than just addressing the concerns of our daily living.

And even after one has found and joined the true Church Of Christ, his obligation to God does not end there. Remember that Christ commanded us to seek first not only His kingdom but also His righteousness. Thus, we must “plant righteousness” (Hos. 10:12 GNB) by living according to the gospel of Christ, which is the righteousness and the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16-17). Leading a life of obedience, holiness, and submission to God’s will is a responsibility of the redeemed, which comes with their having shared in Christ’s sacrificial death:

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”
(Rom. 6:4-6 NIV)

Dealing with life’s many problems is hard enough; how much more could it be for one who strives to live righteously in a world full of wickedness? But, for the true members of the Church Of Christ who put their relationship with God above all things, no burden is too heavy as to bring them down—no trouble too difficult for them to surrender or lose hope. As Apostle Paul confidently said:

“For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.” (II Cor. 4:16-17 GNB)

Now is the time!

Reflecting on these truths from the Bible, do you think you have measured up to these ideals? Have you sought and found the Lord’s kingdom—the true Church that Christ redeemed with His blood? And if so, have you been leading a righteous way of life, obeying all of God’s commandments?

Lose out no more on what is far more important. Take the chance that God is giving all of us. Start re-assessing your priorities and seek out the things that will bring you the salvation of your soul. And there is no better time to do this than now:

“In the Scriptures God says, ’When the time came, I listened to you, and when you needed help, I came to save you.’ That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.” (II Cor. 6:2 Contemporary English Version)

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph

Ceaselessly giving thanks to God

Posted on January 10, 2022January 10, 2022 by pasugoeditor

Ceaselessly giving thanks to God

No matter what their situation in life is, Church Of Christ members will never cease to give thanks and give bountiful thank offerings to the Almighty Father for this is their solemn promise to Him.

By KENNETH A. OUANO

MEMBERS OF the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), through the biblical teachings instilled in them by the Church Administration, have grown in faith to cultivate a character trait true Christians ought to have—thankfulness. They always try to show genuine appreciation for the good things that were done or given to them, especially by those whom they hold dear. Most of all, they ceaselessly give thanks to the Almighty God with gladness and sincerity, even when times are dire and difficult, for they recognize that He is the One Who provides everything they need.

Hence, before each year comes to an end, Church Of Christ members gather in their respective houses of worship for their Thanksgiving Worship Service in honor of the Lord God. Weeks before the sacred occasion, they prepare themselves through devotional prayers. On the day of their Thanksgiving, they present to God their thank offerings, which they had prepared for the whole year in accordance with biblical instruction. This is their vow to the most kind and loving Father, and they do this out of love for Him.

photo_2021-12-16_20-26-14-e1639657654948-1024x628

Church Of Christ members listening to God's words being taught in a worship service

A special promise

True servants of God, since the days of old, have made it their covenant with Him to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving:

“Gather My godly ones to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. … He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I show him], I shall show the salvation of God.” (Ps. 50:5, 23 Amplified Bible 2015)

By giving thank offerings, God’s people honor Him. It is an expression of how grateful they are to Him for saving them from death and from the enemies of their faith. That is why they treat their thanksgiving as a special promise or vow that they must keep. This is written in
Psalm 56:12-13:

“God, I made special promises to you. And I will do what I promised. I will give you my thank offering. Why? Because you saved me from death. You kept me from being defeated. So I will worship God in the light that only living people can see.” (Easy-to-Read Version)

Overflowing with thanksgiving

In the Christian era, true servants of God always give thanks to Him and to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, for all that They have done. Church Of Christ members fulfill this by living in obedience to Christ’s teachings, growing and staying strong in the faith, and by continuing to uphold their covenant of giving thanks:

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.” (Col. 2:6–7 New Living Translation, emphasis ours)

As the apostles taught to the Christians in the first century, the Church Administration also teaches Church Of Christ members in these last days to always be thankful. They regard this as one of their responsibilities and privileges as members of Christ’s body:

“Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 Living Bible)

So much to be thankful for

Some may find it hard to be grateful when life becomes too difficult. Perhaps they can’t begin to think what they should be thankful for about this year’s problems and hardships brought about by worsening calamities, troubling unrest and violence spreading in different countries, poverty, unemployment, as well as the compounding effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, just thinking about what the future holds may already make them so worried that they end up feeling hopeless and in despair.

In contrast, God’s true servants never cease thanking Him even when facing negative situations in their life. In Psalm 41:11–12, this is written:

“Racked by the ceaseless taunts of my persecutors, Where is thy God now? Soul, art thou still downcast? Wilt thou never be at peace? Wait for God’s help; I will not cease to cry out in thankfulness, My champion and my God.” (Knox Bible)

As human beings, God’s people may also feel sad and worried in times of trouble and persecution. However, instead of being downcast or in despair, they “cry out in thankfulness” to God as they wait and hope patiently for His help to come. Even amidst trying times, they remain thankful to Him. He protects them from illness, and when they are sick, He restores their health. He supplies their daily needs, not only the material, but most importantly, spiritual ones. These blessings edify their faith, enabling them to remain active in the Church despite their problems.

True servants of God are not deterred by worries. They instead set aside negative thoughts and remember, and even recount or tell of all the wonderful works the Lord has done for them, His people:

“Let them give thanks to [praise] the Lord for his love [loyalty] and for the miracles [wonderful works] he does for people. Let them offer sacrifices to thank him [thanksgiving offerings]. With joy they should tell [recount] what he has done.” (Ps. 107:21–22 Expanded Bible)

Recounting God’s wonderful works this year

Church Of Christ members recognize how God poured out His great blessings and wonderful works through the triumphs He bestowed on the Church.

For example, from January to November 2021, 117 houses of worship around the world were dedicated to God despite the pandemic. Some of them underwent major renovations but most were constructed from the ground up. Such works continue to be done as Church membership keeps increasing. In fact, two ecclesiastical districts, 58 local congregations, 70 extensions, and 254 Group Worship Services (GWS) were established this year alone.

The newly dedicated house of worship of the Local Congregation of Pasong Intsik, Ecclesiastical District of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

The newly renovated and rededicated house of worship of the Local Congregation of Hinton, Alberta,
Ecclesiastical District of Edmonton

The intensive propagation of God’s words has led to the continued growth of the Church Of Christ, which has now reached 159 countries and territories, with members from 148 different races and nationalities. As more people join the Church Of Christ, the number of ministers and ministerial workers, who serve to assist the Church Administration in caring for the flock and in preaching God’s truth to more people, continues to increase. This year, 150 additional ministers were ordained and 725 ministerial students finished their studies to become regular ministerial workers.

Some of the School For Ministers graduates who took oath as regular ministerial workers

The continuing success of the Church Of Christ, even in the midst of the pandemic and other adversities, is the fulfillment of God’s promise to His Messenger in these last days, Brother Felix Manalo, and to this work of salvation. This is the firm conviction of Church Of Christ members. Hence, for as long as they have life and strength, no matter what their situation in life is, they will never cease to give thanks to the Almighty Father.

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph

Ang Buhay Ngayon at Ang Buhay na Darating

Posted on December 29, 2021December 30, 2021 by pasugoeditor

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Posted on December 29, 2021December 30, 2021 by pasugoeditor

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Deliverance from sin and punishment

Posted on December 1, 2021December 10, 2021 by pasugoeditor

Deliverance from sin and punishment

Membership in the true Church, that which belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ and to our Lord God, is a necessary condition to be saved and be free from punishment.

By NICANOR P. TIOSEN

HOW MANY TIMES have we heard people say they want to be free from punishment? How many have expressed their desire to be delivered from sin and to win eternal life for themselves, hence, be saved?

Writing to Timothy, a co-worker in the Church Of Christ in the first century, Apostle Paul advised the former, thus:

“Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses.” (I Tim. 6:12 Good News Bible)

And as to how valuable faith or belief is, Jude, another apostle of the Lord, wrote, thus:

“For even though you know all this, I want to remind you of how the Lord once rescued the people of Israel from Egypt, but, afterward destroyed whose who did not believe.” (Jude 1:5 GNB)

Contending with the enemy

Throughout the history of God’s people, the devil who is the enemy of the elect has been doing what he is best at which caused Apostle Peter to remind the faithful, thus:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (I Pet. 5:8-9 NKJV)

Certainly, Satan will use every ploy or machination in his hands to deceive the gullible. To safeguard the believers, Apostle Paul warned them, thus:

“The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders and use every kind of wicked craft on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned.” (II Thess. 2:9-12 GNB)

Of course no one in his right mind will admit to having been deceived by Satan. However, the Bible has a way of exposing those who have unfortunately fallen to the wiles of the devil, thus:

“You are doomed! You call evil good and call good evil. You turn darkness into light and light into darkness. You make what is bitter sweet, and what is sweet you make bitter.” (Isa. 5:20 GNB)

Therefore, we can glean from the Bible that those who are deceived by Satan have succumbed to distorting the truth to their own doom, as evidenced by their calling good evil, and vice versa; and turning darkness to light and light to darkness. Hence, they come to believe the opposite of what is right and good. One ought to realize though that the commandment of God is what is right and good (Rom. 7:12).

The truth concerning salvation

Take the issue of salvation. Many believe one can be saved without the benefit of the Church Of Christ. To them, membership in the Church Of Christ is no longer necessary. And that belief in Christ as one’s personal savior is all that is needed to be saved from punishment and win eternal life. They further allege that what is important is one’s relationship with Christ, irrespective of church membership. What do these people who espouse such beliefs fail to realize? They have totally relegated to the background and ignored the significance of Apostle Paul’s message, thus:

“This is a great mystery. (I’m talking about Christ’s relationship to the church.)” (Eph. 5:32 God’s Word)

It is true that Christ is the Savior, but what He is going to save is the Church, which is His body, thus:

“For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.” (Eph. 5:23 GNB)

Sadly, a lot of people failed to see this truth.

The Church Of Christ and redemption

But the true believers of Christ ought to believe in what is written, thus:

“So Jesus spoke again: ‘In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold… I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe…’” (John 10:7, 9 Revised English Bible)

And the fold or flock that man must come into is the Church Of Christ according to Apostle Paul, thus:

“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)

This should silence once and for all the belief that Church membership is no longer necessary. If it were not the true Church Of Christ, yes. But, with the true Church, that which belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ and to our Lord God, membership in it is a necessary condition to be saved and be free from punishment.

Should anyone insist that faith alone is sufficient for salvation, Apostle James replies in no uncertain term, thus:

“My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it? Can that faith save him? … You see, then, that it is by his actions that a person is put right with God, and not by his faith alone.” (James 2:14, 24 GNB)

Winning the battle

It will do well for the true members of the Church Of Christ to heed the admonition of Apostle Paul, thus:

“Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle, you will still be standing firm.” (Eph. 6:13 New Living Translation)

So as not to give way to the enemy, with much resolve Apostle Paul advised the Christians further, thus:

“So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.” (Eph. 6:14-17 GNB)

Asking God’s help through prayers

The heavenward journey is fraught with trials. We, members of the Church Of Christ, God’s people in these last days, are very much aware of this. Nonetheless, in our great desire to be free from punishment or to be saved on Judgment Day, we do our best to safeguard our faith, buoyed by Apostle Paul’s reminder, thus:

“Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. ‘Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people.’” (Eph. 6:18 GNB)

We, likewise, draw inspiration from the prayer of King David, thus:

“I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the LORD, who made the heaven and earth. He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake. … the LORD will guard you; he is by your side to protect you. … the LORD will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. He will protect you as you come and go now and forever.” (Ps. 121:1-3, 5, 7–8 GNB)

This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine.

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph

No reason for despair

Posted on November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 by pasugoeditor

No reason for despair

Despair has no place in the lives of God’s faithful servants for they can rely on Him to make miracles in their lives.

By DENNIS C. LOVENDINO

THE PREVALENCE OF HOPELESSNESS and of people resorting to criminal acts when they find themselves in dire straits can be interpreted as lack of trust in God. Sadly, many think that believing in what God can do in times of difficulties is an idea that has become outmoded or has lost its usefulness.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures” is how some people justify their aberrant behavior—saying adverse circumstances force them to commit their misdeed. Others, on the other hand, succumb to hopelessness and misery. More than 300 million people suffer from depression, the World Health Organization says.

But despair has no place in the lives of God’s faithful servants. They believe that God Who parted the Red Sea to deliver the ancient Israelites from the Egyptian army, made water gush out of rocks to quench their thirst, and performed other works of wonder is the same God Whom they can rely on to make miracles in their lives. Apostle Paul said:

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Eph. 3:20 The Message)

Nothing is impossible with God. He can do anything in our wildest imagination, far more than we could ever request. His power has not diminished through the ages, for He neither faints nor is weary (Isa. 40:28). Though we may not see today the same kind of miracles He performed during the olden times, God’s omnipotence remains evident in the lives of His chosen ones today, the members of the Church Of Christ.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo is God’s modern-day miracle. Facing seemingly insurmountable odds, this Church bucked the trend and made astonishing feats where others have lagged and failed. From its modest beginnings and preached by a man seen to be bereft of earthly virtues, the Church has spread far and wide—with congregations in 158 countries and territories, and members from more than 147 races and ethnicities.

Some might point out that other religious organizations have also started small and grown extensively. But what make the Iglesia Ni Cristo feats truly remarkable are the enormous odds stacked against it. It emerged in the Philippines at a time when Catholic beliefs were already widely entrenched within the archipelago and Protestantism had deeply taken root—the surroundings were simply too hostile and not conducive for the growth of the then budding Church. Compounding the problem was the eruption of the Second World War, and the subsequent foreign occupation of the Philippines.

The Church survived those testing times—flourishing and growing by leaps and bounds despite the unfavorable setting. Such expansion remains unabated even now when the so-called Religious Recession has afflicted majority of Christian-professing groups. While many churches are experiencing significant drop in their membership and clergy, the opposite is happening to the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Multitudes of converts are being added continually, hundreds of ministers are being ordained yearly, and scores of new houses of worship are built annually.

Members of the Church Of Christ have proven true in their life what Apostle Paul taught: God can do beyond what His people could ever imagine or request. The uninterrupted triumphs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in its 106-year journey are nothing less than miraculous and bespeak God’s infinite power and glory—as He fulfilled His promises to the Church in these last days (Isa. 41:9–16; 43:5–6; 46:11–13; 62:11–12). It is He, the omnipotent God, Who made the impossible possible, the unachievable achievable.

This is what gives comfort and inspiration to God’s chosen servants. In the face of life’s pains and sorrows, they find no reason for despair. Apostle Paul explained why:

“Because I have the strength to meet and overcome every difficulty and circumstance, thru the power that Christ gives me.” (Phil. 4:13 Last Days Bible)

Hence, true Christians in desperate times cling tightly to God. When life gets tough and burdens become too heavy to bear, they turn to their Creator:

“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father …” (Eph. 3:14 MSG)

This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine, April 2018 issue, and has been updated.

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph

Onward to the promised land

Posted on November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 by pasugoeditor

Onward to the promised land

One must look to the future with hope and faith for a “better home in heaven” where he will receive God’s eternal rewards.

By ROLAND A. AGUIRRE

YOU CAN CALL it terra firma, ground, earth, or land. Occupying almost a quarter of the globe, it is one of life’s most coveted possessions. But it does not come cheap. In fact, the quest for land ownership has spawned conflicts and turmoil that run the gamut from petty disputes to bloody wars: it is the cause of animosity between squatters and landowners, tenants and landlords, and of border disputes and territorial conflicts between countries like Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Great Britain and Argentina, among others. The centuries-old conflict between the Jews and the Palestinians has been very deeply rooted in it. Likewise, it is one of the reasons the hostility between India and Pakistan might cross the nuclear threshold and endanger planet Earth.

Indeed, it is a great irony that something so ubiquitous and abundant is beyond the possession of many and continues to severely affect the relationships among peoples and nations. Wars have been waged, conflicts have intensified, and relationships have been severed—all because of land. And yet, despite all these problems, the quest and longing for it remain unquenched.

The land of Canaan

The first nation of God, Israel, was promised a land described in the Bible as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exod. 3:8 New King James Version). The land of Canaan was often referred to as the promised land because of God’s repeated promise to give the land to Abraham and his descendants:

“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

“Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Gen. 17:7-8 NKJV)

There was no easy way into Canaan; it was inhabited by greater and mightier nations with armies larger and better equipped. But, because of God’s promise, Israel emerged victorious against formidable adversaries (Deut. 7:1-2; 20:1, 3-4 NKJV). And, as God’s chosen people, ancient Israel had the right to serve and glorify God because of His promises and covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Deut. 7:8-9; Ps. 105:9-10 NKJV). Moreover, not only did Israel have the true worship but also the hope of receiving His promises (Rom. 9:4 Today’s English Version).

However, the Israelites did not remain faithful to God’s covenant with them; they transgressed His law and turned away from Him:

“All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.” (Dan. 9:11 New International Version)

The Israelites’ unfaithfulness had a tragic consequence: they were rejected by God and ceased to be His chosen people (Hos. 4:6; Jer. 6:19, 30 NKJV).

From a full-pledged nation with a land of its own, the Israelite Kingdom collapsed and its people were thrown into captivity.

‘Strangers and foreigners on earth’

In the Christian era, the promised land remains to be a promise, which is given by God not just to Israel in the flesh anymore. This promised land, certainly, cannot be this earth. Our present home called earth falls short of what we can consider to be a promised land offering a blissful life. Life on earth continues to deteriorate day by day as man continues to grapple with complex and unrelenting problems like dreadful diseases, natural and man-made calamities, and terrorism, among many others. The political landscape portrays a world reeling in crisis while on the economic front the outlook is downbeat and pessimistic. The prophetic words of Isaiah is foreboding:

“Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.” (Isa. 8:22 NIV)

Indeed, life on earth is not only fragile but also sad and frightening; the present terra firma does not offer hope. Although man’s progress has grown by leaps and bounds, he still suffers from its tragic consequences.

Where should we put our hope then? Apostle Paul wrote:

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Cor. 4:18 NKJV)

Hence, present realities, however hard and painful, should not cloud our hope for the things incorruptible and timeless—God’s promise of a better land. And so, just like the faithful servants of God in ancient times, those who hope for God’s eternal promises in the Christian era consider themselves as mere strangers and foreigners on earth because “they were looking forward to a better home in heaven.” Apostle Paul made this clear when he said:

“… But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth. When people talk this way, it is clear that they are looking for a place to call their own.

“But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That’s why God wasn’t ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.” (Heb. 11:13-14, 16 Contemporary English Version)

Thus, inasmuch as Canaan merely foreshadowed the Holy City and this earth we live in can never be the promised land, one must look to the future with hope and faith for a “better home in heaven” where he will receive God’s eternal rewards.

The new heaven and the new earth

This “better home in heaven,” also called the Holy City or the New Jerusalem, was described by Apostle John in a prophetic vision:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” (Rev. 21:1-3 NKJV)

Glory abounds in “the new heaven and the new earth” for it has the glory of God (Rev. 21:11 NKJV), the kind of glory which is eternal, as Apostle Paul pointed out:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (II Cor. 4:17 NIV)

Thus, our pains and sufferings in this world are nothing compared to the great and eternal glory that will be revealed to us in the Holy City. Again Apostle Paul elucidated:

“I consider that what we suffer at the present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” (Rom. 8:18 TEV)

In the Holy City, we will enjoy a glorious life because there will be no more tears, grief, pain, death, crying, hunger and thirst (Rev. 21:1-4; 7:16 TEV). Hence, in that promised homeland, the New Jerusalem, a life of complete joy and happiness awaits us (Isa. 65:17-19 TEV). Undeniably, life there is perfect and what reigns therein is eternal peace. No warfare of any kind will ever take place there. In the New Jerusalem, conflicts over lands, borders and territories are but things of the past.

In addition, the place is unequaled in its pulchritude and unmatched in its resplendence:

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

“Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. … The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. … The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” (Rev. 21:10-11, 18, 21 NKJV)

All kinds of precious stones adorn the foundations of the city wall. And at each of the gates are angels. There is no house of worship or temple in the Holy City because God and Christ are its temple (Rev. 21:12, 19-25 NKJV). Moreover, the river of life and the tree of life are among the precious things also found in the Holy City (Rev. 22:1-7 NKJV).

Surely, the New Jerusalem or the Holy City is worth our sacrifices and sufferings—and our waiting.

Citizens of the new promised land

But how can people in the Christian era become heirs to God’s promises and thus, enter the Holy City?

After Israel fell into apostasy, Abraham’s seed carried on with God’s covenant with Abraham. The Bible enlightens us on this regard:

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:29 NIV)

Hence, in the Christian era, God’s everlasting covenant with Abraham continues because it was handed down to those who belong to Christ and thus are Abraham’s seed. One need not be an Israelite in the flesh anymore to partake of God’s covenant with Abraham. By virtue of having relationship to Christ, who is Abraham’s seed, one can have a share of God’s promises. The Bible emphasizes this:

“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds’, as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed’, who is Christ.” (Gal. 3:16 NKJV)

And how can one have relationship to Christ? How can man inherit God’s promises? By becoming a part of the body. This is what the Bible teaches:

“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.” (Eph. 3:6 NKJV)

The body referred to is the Church of Christ (Col. 1:18 NKJV; Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation). Thus, not just anyone can be an heir to God’s promise. And through an illustration, Christ introduced the heirs to God’s promises. They are the ones who, on His second advent, are likened to sheep placed at His right, as opposed to those likened to goats at His left. The sheep of Christ will be the ones to inherit the kingdom of God (Matt. 25:31-34 TEV). The Holy Scriptures clarifies that the flock where Christ’s sheep are gathered is the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa).

Therefore, the members of the Church of Christ, inasmuch as they belong to Christ, are the seed of Abraham regardless of their race, color, or social status. They have the covenant that God made to Abraham, that is, the right to serve and glorify God. By virtue of this great privilege they now are heirs to God’s promises and have the right to enter the New Jerusalem or the Holy City.

As hardships, trials, and sacrifices marked Israel’s laborious journey toward Canaan, so is the journey of God’s nation in these last days toward the new promised land. Yet members of the Church of Christ are ready and willing to sacrifice even their own lives, if necessary, for the sake of this eternal blessing from God. And this they do with utmost conviction and dedication because of their firm hope that their citizenship is in heaven, as Paul in his epistle to the Philippians puts it plainly:

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Phil. 3:20-21 NKJV)

This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine, November 2005 issue.

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph

The vital role of the Church Administration in these trying times

Posted on October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 by pasugoeditor

The vital role of the Church Administration in these trying times

Fulfilling his God-given mandate to watch over the souls of the believers (Heb. 13:17), the Executive Minister endeavors to help the Church members overcome all their trials and be brought closer to God and His blessings—the greatest of which is the attainment of eternal life.

By JENSEN DG. MAÑEBOG

THE YEAR that eventually turned out to be a bleak one was just commencing when God had already prepared His nation for unusual predicaments through the man whose authority is surely from Him.

On January 28 of the year 2020—when the now popular coronavirus disease had not yet gotten its own official name Covid-19 (history.com)—Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Church Of Christ, called for a conference of all ministers and ministerial workers around the globe. Through videoconferencing, he exhorted them to painstakingly teach the brethren how to deal with life’s troubles, as if alarming things were about to transpire.

And just about six weeks after, Covid-19 was declared a pandemic (history.com), and its domino effects soon followed: government-imposed stay-at-home orders, school and business closures, mass layoffs, and global recession, not to mention deaths and cases of depressions.

Many religions consequently ceased operations, but the Iglesia Ni Cristo has continued its active services and worship of the Lord. These series of events highlight the magnitude of the roles carried out by the Church Administration in the lives of God’s people.

Preparing the faithful

During the conference, the Executive Minister gave urgent instruction to hold special gatherings of Christian households. He personally taught the biblical lesson to be delivered in the gatherings.

The lesson conveyed God’s comforting words encouraging the believers to brace themselves—not to be afraid but rather have faith that they will overcome severe difficulties by sincerely seeking God’s help through humble supplications.

It also taught that coping with perilous times involves fervently serving God with all their heart, mind, and soul (I Chr. 28:9) so that when they ask Him for help, they will receive His answer. Church members, the lesson emphasized, ought to “use more effort to make God’s calling and choosing of [them] secure” (II Pet. 1:10 God’s Word).

The Executive Minister reminded that one of God’s commands that Christian families should put more effort in fulfilling is their worship of Him (Heb. 10:25), no matter what their condition in life is. In so doing, he affirmed that they are also able to seek His guidance in dealing with worries in life, as “worship opens doors to all [God’s] goodness” (Ps. 34:9 The Message).

Household worship service

Even while observing the government-enforced disease control guidelines, Church Of Christ members have continued to uphold their worship services to God. Members who cannot congregate at houses of worship for the time being follow the Church Administration’s instruction that they conduct worship services in their homes.

Providentially, the household special gatherings which the Executive Minister instructed Christian families to hold even before the pandemic served as a precursor of this worship gathering.

During the household worship services, the head of the family reads the Bible-based messages they receive from the Church Administration. The messages containing God’s teachings intend to safeguard the brethren’s spiritual welfare, inspiring them to be firm in faith and be filled with hope in what God can do for them, especially in the time of crisis.

There are also hymn-singing, prayers, and giving of offerings just like in congregational worship services done inside houses of worship
(I Cor. 14:15, 26). Church members fully believe the Lord Jesus Christ’s promise that when two or more of them gather together in His name, He is there among them (Matt. 18:20) by means of His Spirit, which strengthen their spiritual lives (Gal. 4:6).

Livestreaming worship service

The livestreaming of worship services, which started to be implemented by the Church Administration years earlier, is another reason Iglesia Ni Cristo members have been able to fulfill their primary duty to worship God even during the pandemic.

In this mode, a minister or ministerial worker leads the congregational prayer and teaches God’s words from a house of worship or chapel, while the brethren attending are in different sites, like in the confines of their own homes.

The livestreaming worship services administered by the Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Office are usually streamed from the chapels housed in the Pilar Manalo-Danao Multimedia Center (PMD) building in the INC Central Office complex in Quezon City. Hundreds of remote sites from many ecclesiastical districts outside the Philippines connect for livestreaming worship services which are conducted in various languages.

The livestreaming worship service was launched by Brother Eduardo Manalo in 2014, years before the pandemic started. He himself regularly officiates livestream worship services through which he is also able to reach out to the brethren even if they are in different countries and time zones.

Successfully spreading the gospel

Through means in consonance with health safety protocols, the Church Administration has steadily pursued its mission to spread the gospel of salvation (Mark 16:15–16). Through mass media and social media, it continues to broadcast the Church’s radio and television programs and the members share the links of online evangelical programs to their friends and acquaintances.

The Church Administration has even intensified its missionary programs like the Worldwide Evangelical Missions; Reconnect; Welcome, My Brethren; Evangelical Mission On Air and Online; Pasugo magazine distribution; and sharing of articles from iglesianicristo.net and pasugo.com.ph.

With God’s help, these result in many new converts being added to the Church through regular baptisms held around the world, while observing health protocols.

More Church officers and workers for the Lord’s harvest field

Through the able leadership of the Executive Minister, there has been a constant increase of the number of Church officers, ministerial students, and ordained ministers. Through the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) School For Ministers (SFM) which currently has 21 extensions (14 in the Philippines and 7 abroad), the Church Administration continues to produce many ministerial workers who are assigned to different parts of the world to help in spreading God’s words and edifying the brethren.

From January 2020 to September this year alone, a total of 206 new ministers were ordained and 1,920 took their oath as regular ministerial workers.

Edifying the faith of Christian families

Multidimensional programs for faith-edification have been launched and continued through the Christian Family Organizations (CFO). Mainly conducted online for the moment, programs such as This Is KADIWA, Binhi Friendship Day, Buklod Night, Christian Society for the Deaf (CSD) conferences, and Christian Employees Association (CEA) meetings continue to cater to brethren of specific categories.

Through Songs of Faith, Love, and Hope, INC Unity Games, INCinema, and CEBSI Films, the Church Administration continues to cultivate brethren’s talents and instill Christian values.

The Church also launched timely activities like webinars discussing tips to cope with stress and livelihood opportunities to help those whose jobs were affected by the pandemic.

Constructing houses of worship and other edifices

Complying with government-imposed work and health protocols, the Church Administration has not been hindered by the pandemic from constructing and renovating houses of worship, office buildings, and other Church infrastructures.

The Church also procures worship edifices being sold by other religions and converts them into suitable Iglesia Ni Cristo places of worship. During the pandemic, its recent acquisition is the more-than-a-century-old former St. James Anglican chapel in Neepawa, Canada, which it formally acquired on February 12, 2021. And even in far flung areas, the Church builds chapels where the faithful conduct their services to God.

From 2020 up to September 2021, the Church has built and renovated 185 houses of worship. This is in obedience to His command to “build [His] house, so that [He] may take pleasure in it and be honored” (Hag. 1:8 New International Version).

Providing aid to those in need

The Church Administration perpetually pursues its charitable missions in obedience to God’s will to provide aid to those in need and treat people—members and nonmembers alike—with compassion and love (Mat. 19:19; Gal. 6:10).

When the pandemic struck, the Church Administration immediately mobilized the concerned ecclesiastical districts to tender support to the affected brethren. Through its Lingap sa Mamamayan (Aid to Humanity), INC Cares, and INC Giving projects, the Church has been distributing goods, food, care packages, including personal protective equipment to frontliners and households in various countries—even to nonmembers.

Food packs, health care, and cash donations have also been given to some local governments, public schools, nursing homes, and elderly facilities.

On Brother Eduardo Manalo’s birthday on October 31, 2020, the Church conducted the Worldwide Aid to Humanity to help relieve the plight of people affected by the pandemic.

Through the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, the Church also punctually responds to calamity victims such as those affected by typhoons and the recent eruptions of the Taal Volcano in the Philippines.

To help create livelihood opportunities, the Church Administration establishes self-sustainable means of livelihood, such as its eco-farms in various places like Africa. In 2020, it established its first eco-farm in the USA in Shoshoni, Wyoming.

The Executive Minister has also allowed the Ciudad de Victoria Complex in the Philippines to be used as a mega-quarantine facility housing Covid-19 patients and healthcare workers. The Church has kept open the gates of the New Era General Hospital even for nonmembers. The hospitals’ own Molecular Laboratory opened on March 5, 2021, enabling it to get faster results of swab tests.

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Our promise

Fulfilling his God-given mandate to watch over the souls of the believers (Heb. 13:17), the Executive Minister prays for Church members to overcome all their trials and be brought closer to God and His blessings—the greatest of which is the attainment of eternal life.

On his birthday on October 31, we, Iglesia Ni Cristo members, pray that God may always provide him with long life, exceptional wisdom, and good health for the sake of God’s nation in these last days.

We also promise to bring spiritual joy to him—not only on his natal day but also every day—by living as true Christians should. As Apostle Paul stated, “I am very happy because you are living as you should and because of your strong faith in Christ” (Col. 2:5 New Living Translation).

When we abide by God’s teachings, which we learn from the Church Administration, not only do we bring spiritual joy to the Executive Minister; most of all, we please and glorify the Lord God. As the Apostle Paul stated:

“Finally, our brothers, you learned from us how you should live in order to please God. This is, of course, the way you have been living. And now we beg and urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to do even more. For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.” (I Thess. 4:1–2 Good News Bible)

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph

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