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There are many things that people value and give importance to in this world. But for the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), there is nothing more important than their God-given right and privilege to be His servants in these last days.
The significance of being counted among God’s people was emphasized by Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Church, in his homily during the worship service held at Resorts World Convention Centre in Singapore which was livestreamed to various local congregations in different parts of the world. The Executive Minister reminded the brethren of the Holy City and God’s promised salvation that await them on Christ’s nearing return.
This is what motivates the brethren to carry on despite all the things they have been going through. They know that the extraordinary times which we are living in only means that the fulfillment of God’s promised salvation, the everlasting life, and dwelling in the Holy City is near. Through their earnest prayers to God, they receive the strength and the help they need to withstand life’s storm of trials. That is why no matter what happens, they keep their faith, for they firmly believe that doing so will not be in vain.
Midland, Singapore
By Gazel Joy Ragat
“I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I’m the youngest of two siblings. Before I became a member of the Church Of Christ, I followed my parents’ religious beliefs and was officially registered as a Buddhist,” said Brother Chui Tuck Seng.
He made a complete change in his life when he chose to become a member of the Church. He used to believe in a myriad of gods, but now he vows to serve and worship the only one true God—the Father in heaven. He used to not believe in the Bible, but now his faith is based on it. He added, “Upon completing the Bible studies on basic Church doctrines, I came to the realization that the core beliefs of the true Church Of Christ are based on the teachings of the Bible, the words of God. This understanding strengthened my conviction that I am in the right place, following God’s guidance.” And now, he follows the Christian way of living.
He recalled, “Despite being raised as a Buddhist, I found the teachings in the Church Of Christ to be absolutely acceptable and easily comprehensible. I felt no reason to halt the process of becoming a member.”
As he was enlightened, he said, “Attending the worship services is never burdensome. It became a deeply held conviction for me to faithfully attend them. I was baptized in December 2013. Throughout the process of joining the Church, I made sure not to miss any Bible study or worship service.”
Just as what the Executive Minister reminded the brethren during his homily that they should be steadfast in their faith, especially in these trying times, Brother Chui realized that as he counts more and more years of serving God in the Church, his faith in Him has also grown stronger and stronger. It is his resolve that come what may, he will keep his faith in Him. Brother Chui promises to remain in the Church Of Christ no matter what happens.
As to how his life was changed when he finally found the true faith, he expressed, “The teachings and beliefs in the Church have profoundly transformed my convictions, particularly in terms of understanding the true nature of God and recognizing the significance of being a part of the Church Of Christ.”
Salt Lake City, Utah
By Jenifer De Juan
“It was July 1st of 2018. My mom was cooking dinner for my birthday when she suddenly felt pain in her left arm and complained of a headache. We thought that she was just tired and so, we let her rest. Soon after that, we noticed that the left side of her face was drooping and uneven. We found out that she had a ruptured aneurysm that caused her to have a massive stroke. She became unconscious for weeks. That was when my life began to be difficult,” said Sister Chernel Jean Gueco, the choir leader of the Local Congregation of Salt Lake City, as she tearfully recalled what could have been a joyful birthday celebration that turned into the saddest and most trying time of her life.
Days and weeks went by, the sight of her unconscious mother on the hospital bed, on top of all the other responsibilities on her shoulders, became very hard to endure. But despite all these, she continued to perform her duty as a choir leader. She took every performance as a chance to be closer to God to ask for help. Every prayer, she asked God for strength, so she would not give up no matter how painful the situation would be. She prayed hard for her mother’s life to be spared, so that they could still be together in performing their Church duties. She prayed that together with her family, they would pass this test and live to tell the story.
Two months after, Sister Chernel’s mother was still in the hospital. Then, news came out that Brother Eduardo Manalo, the Executive Minister would be officiating the chapel dedication in Henderson, Nevada. Sister Chernel and her family decided to travel 436 miles to get to Henderson. During the worship service, she poured her heart out and expressed all her sorrow and pain to God. She prayed for her mother to be healed. She asked God to free her of her sufferings, but fully submitting to His will. After the worship service, she knew that she received God’s grace.
From Henderson, they went straight to the hospital to check on her mother. Sister Chernel could not believe what she saw, her mother was awake sitting on her hospital bed and, for the first time since she had the stroke, they heard her talk again. Sister Chernel told her mother that she saw and talked with Brother Eduardo Manalo, saying that he will send a minister to pray for her. They all thanked God for working His miracle on them.
After a few days, Sister Chernel and her family received a call from the district supervising minister saying that he would be flying to Utah because he was instructed by the Church Administration to visit and pray for her mother. The family started crying tears of happiness, for they truly felt the love and care of Brother Eduardo Manalo and, most of all, of the Almighty God.
At present, Sister Chernel’s mother, Sister Aileen, is already able to perform her duty as a deaconess in the worship services and is actively participating in all the Church activities together with her family, though still has one aneurysm that she is recovering from.
During the livestreamed worship service commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Local Congregation of Salt Lake City, Utah, as Sister Chernel was listening to Brother Eduardo Manalo’s preaching, she reflected on how her life had been. When she thought that she would not be able to endure what her mother suffered, she turned to God. She placed all her trust in Him, for she knows that He is the only One Who can help her and that He will not forsake her. She remained faithful in performing her duties without compromise. She continued to do what is pleasing in God’s sight. She firmly believes that whenever she prays to Him, He will answer, and He truly does.
Los Baños, Laguna
By Ryan Golez
Bahagi ng paggunita sa pagsapit ng ika-90 anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag ng kanilang lokal, ang mga kapatid sa Lokal ng Los Baños ay nagkapalad na makadalo sa pagsambang pinangasiwaan ng Kapatid na Eduardo Manalo, ang Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan, sa pamamagitan ng livestreaming. Binigyang-diin ng Tagapamahala sa kaniyang pagtuturo mula sa Biblia na dapat panghawakan at ingatan ng mga kaanib ng Iglesia Ni Cristo ang kanilang kahalalan o karapatan na maglingkod sa Diyos anuman ang mangyari.
Ganito ang pahayag ni Kapatid na Amorpena Galang, isa sa matatandang kaanib ng Iglesia sa lokal na ito, bilang repleksyon sa itinuro ng Tagapamahala: “Napatunayan ko sa aking sarili, gaya ng itinuro ng Tagapamahala sa pagsambang aking dinaluhan, na ang Panginoong Diyos ay laging nakikinig sa panalangin ng mga lingkod Niya kailanman at tayo ay nagtitiwala at nananalig sa Kaniya na ating dinadalanginan. Kaya, anuman ang mangyari ay patuloy ko pa ring itataguyod ang aking paglilingkod sa ating Panginoong Diyos. Mananatili akong Iglesia Ni Cristo na nagtitiwala sa Kaniya.”
Ganito naman ang paninindigan ni Kapatid na Norison Talens sa gitna ng mga pagsubok na dumarating sa kaniyang buhay: “Maraming problema at pagsubok ang ating pinagdaraanan. Ngunit hindi tayo dapat sumuko. Dapat tayong maging matatag sa ating pananampalataya at masiglang nakikipagkaisa sa mga aktibidad ng Iglesia. Sa ganitong paraan, magagawa nating makapanghawak sa ating kahalalan.”
Sa kasalukuyan, si Kapatid na Norison ay Pangulong Diakono sa Lokal ng Los Baños na sakop ng Distrito Eklesiastiko ng Calamba City, Laguna. “Bilang maytungkulin, lagi kong ipinapaalaala sa mga kapatid na magtiwala, umasa, at sumampalataya sa magagawa ng Panginoong Diyos. Anuman ang pagsubok na dumating sa ating buhay, lagi tayong manalangin sa ating Panginoong Diyos. Manatili tayong nanghahawak sa ating kahalalan upang magtamo tayo ng pangakong kaligtasan,” pahayag niya.
Napatunayan din ni Kapatid na Norison na hindi isang kalugihan ang pagtatalaga sa tungkulin. Ayon sa kaniya, “Kung gusto nating umunlad ang buhay natin, hindi maaaring hindi natin gawing malaking bahagi ng ating buhay ang Panginoong Diyos. Lahat ng mabubuting pangarap natin sa buhay ay matatamo natin kung Siya ang kasama natin. Hindi hadlang ang tungkulin, kundi ito pa nga ang magiging daan para ibigay Niya ang katuparan ng ating mga pangarap at umunlad ang ating buhay, dahil ang panalangin ng maytungkuling nagtatalaga sa pagtupad at nagbabagong-buhay ay tiyak na diringgin ng ating Panginoong Diyos.”
