A Night of Praise in the Household of Faith

By Pastor Lendl Salangsang

The sanctuary was filled with many young people, with over one hundred in attendance. There were young adults from all over the city, spanning from the Durham region all the way through to Mississauga and the nearby boroughs. Neighbouring churches had also come to gather at this night to receive the Word and sing praises and glory to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

‘Broken without Jesus’ was the theme for this year’s CABC’s annual Worship Night, held on October 19, 2019. I was given the opportunity to preach at SHOut night after being a part of the Worship Team since the inception of the event back in the mid-2000s. I spoke on the passage found in Mark 3:1-6, speaking on the man with the withered hand and the importance of this man in trusting and having faith in Jesus to heal. Just like that man who stretched out his hand towards Jesus, we are to move our weakness, our brokenness and our sins towards Him who heals. This is an everyday battle, to continually rely on Jesus’ strength, grace, mercy and love.

Many young adults were encouraged not only through the preaching of the Word and the singing of praises but also during the fellowship time that followed. Connections were made, conversations were had and in all, there was a sense of community between the young adult believers.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Young Adults Ministry, please do not hesitate to approach Pastor Solo Reyes.

One Kid At A Time

By Joshua Gatuz

Good morning church! As you all know, over the summer I went on a short term mission trip to Serpent River First Nation. To give you more info on where it is exactly, here’s a map showing the route from Toronto to Serpent River

It’s about a 6 hour drive north west of Toronto and about a 1 hour drive from Sudbury. It has a population of about 250-300 people. 

For the past 10 years, Doxa has partnered with a ministry called Daystar: it’s a non-profit Christian organization that seeks to show the love of Christ to Native communities located in mid-north Canada and beyond. They carry the message of salvation in personal and practical ways with the goal of people accepting Christ as their Savior and Lord. For the past 10 years, Daystar has been running a kid’s day camp every summer for two weeks at Serpent River First Nation. Similar to VBS, the kids ages range from 5 years old to 13 and we have scheduled activities where we teach them Bible lessons, arts and crafts, and most importantly, build relationships with the children and their families. 

Before I left for my trip, I knew that God had opened up an opportunity for me to serve there once more. I was really excited to go back. I did have some worries about serving at Serpent River again. It can be quite challenging to work with Native children. Their grandparents and great grandparents’, and ancestors’ histories of being forced into residential schools have caused generations of suffering and brokenness in these communities. They experienced the loss of culture and identity. At times these children in residential schools were even physically, emotionally, and sexually abused. The ramifications of these sins committed by the Canadian government and by the Church are still present today and can sometimes be easily seen in the kids at these Native reserves. Not to mention the socio-economic issues in Native reserves that play a negative role in their upbringing as well. One of our biggest challenges last year (my first year) were certain kids that were violent towards others and at times we would have to break up fights between 6 year olds with the risk of being bitten or kicked or slapped. Not all the kids were like that. It was usually the kids that come from broken homes that would have behavioural issues that would come out during day camp. 

These were just a handful of worries though. Mostly I was excited to be back to spend time with the kids and the community.  The whole team would agree with me in saying that the best part about the trip is building relationships with the children there. These are the most rowdy kids you’ll ever work with but they’re so lovable. There’s a million moments and interactions that we have with the kids that God uses to sow love and joy into their lives but also within the lives of the leaders. A moment that was special to me was one time after our Bible discussion. I was given the role of leading the 10-11 year old kids. This was my first time working with this age group which was initially difficult for me because I find this age group is when they start to have a little more attitude (haha). Often times during the discussions it’s hard to keep their attention and some even after telling them not to, keep talking. God graced me with patience for the week so thankfully I never lost mine with them. Anyway, for Bible discussions we have everything in a binder that we use when we’re sitting in a circle. Before I went to lead the discussion on the third day of camp, I quickly prayed to God that at least one kid might hear some of what I was teaching them. Not just to pay attention, but for the Holy Spirit to work supernaturally in someone’s heart to draw them to God. Just for one kid. I brought my bible with me this time as I went into the circle and started the discussion. That week we were teaching them about Genesis and the creation story. I had my Bible in my hands as I taught though it wasn’t open. 

A couple of the kids beside me noticed and asked if they could look at it. I handed the Bible to one of my kids named X*. As I continued my lesson, I could see from the corner of my eye X flipping through the pages of my Bible very intently. I saw that he was reading the preface so I quickly explained to him the table of contents and pointed him to Genesis since that’s what they were learning the past week. Occasionally during the rest of the lesson he would exclaim “Oh, we learned about this!” as he read. When I finished my lesson, I saw that he was still reading. For the next 10 minutes or so, X sat there contently reading my Bible and using his hands to follow along. I saw this moment as an answer to prayer. We know from Hebrews 4:12 that God’s word is living and active, and from Isaiah 55:11 we read that God’s word always fulfills the purpose for which he sends it. These verses are profound yet comforting because though we might not see immediate effects of X reading the Bible who knows how God might use this moment in the future to draw him to Himself. Some of these kids might have never read the Bible let alone held one in their hands, so any degree of exposure to God’s word can be life changing.

So now that I’m back, what now? What I’ve come to realize is that even though the trip itself is only two weeks at a time every summer, I believe it’s better to be viewed as a long term mission as opposed to short term. It has taken years for this Serpent River team to build a relationship with the community. The team has been able to reap the fruits of all the seeds that have been sown over the years in terms of investing time with the kids and getting to know their families. This year especially a lot of the parents have opened up to some of the leaders on our team about their family issues and the difficult things they were going through. I know that life gets busy and getting 1 or 2 weeks off for the trip might be challenging but Lord willing I’d like to continue returning back each year to be with the community and be able to continue building relationships and pointing them to Christ.    

*name has been changed for confidentiality purposes.

THE WAITING ROOM

By Peachie Camaya 

This year, my bible study group (Symphony Of Love 2) was given the opportunity to assist in CABC’s thanksgiving service. I had the privilege of sharing God’s faithfulness through my life testimony. Some of you may have heard this during one of our prayer meetings as well. 

Let me start with my 2019 verse from Romans 8:18 in NKJV – that says;

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us.”

My journey with God consists of hurdles, storms, miracles, and provision. In a sense I grew up with a Christian background - I was supported financially by a Missionary from Norway (Norma) as their full scholar from Elementary up to College due to our financial situation. Part of their requirements was for students to maintain a good academic record, attend Bible studies and prayer meetings on a regular basis, as well as participate in the vacation bible school during the summer. But still, during this time, I did not have a deep personal relationship with the Lord.

I had been chasing Canada for the last 12 years since my eldest brother, Lawrence Camaya, sponsored the whole family to come here in Canada way back 2006. Due to my age, I was denied. It was a very difficult moment in my life as some of you know, especially those who are close to us, how strong our family ties are. All my family left the Philippines in May of 2006. 

Again as Kuya Lawrence is just waiting for the family to arrive here, as he is getting married, he again tried to invite me as a tourist to be part of their entourage, but to no avail I was denied for the second time - they said the only reason for me to come is just to enter Canada. Again, I am clueless at that time why the Lord kept me away from my family in distance…

I tried to research and ask information about how I can come to Canada, but I failed to ask the most important Advisor of my life who is the author of it. I was advised to study becoming a Caregiver as a stepping-stone to go to Canada. I studied, completed the program even though I don’t have any inclination in it at all as my desire is just to go to Canada. As my family here was praying for me and looking for an arranged employer, that’s the time I was tested by faith. It was when I hit rock bottom that I started to ask for God's guidance and direction. Then, my best friend in college invited me to go to Dubai for the time being - that it may be an easier way to apply outside the Philippines. I PRAYED FOR SNOW, but the LORD GAVE ME SAND as He directed me to a desert county.

I went to Dubai year 2008 and started my application under a Caregiver program - for the third time, I was once again denied… at that time the employer failed to comply with the immigration requirements. From that moment of waiting, trying, and doing my best to follow my family, God's answer is not a “NO”, but “WAIT”... and so I WAITED AND STAYED IN MY SO-CALLED “WAITING ROOM.”

If there is one thing people hate to do, that is to wait. And why should we? We can Google questions rather than wait for an answer. We can order shoes online rather than suffering the long weekend lines at the retail store. We can even book reservations ahead of time rather than waiting for a table at our favourite restaurant and so on.

I believe, like me, maybe some of you right now are waiting for something? We might bump into each other in GOD'S WAITING ROOM too. It might not be Visa all the time - it could be family restoration, promotion and career, financial breakthrough, etc... The Lord showed me not on my time, but on His time. Not on my will, but His will… and as I stayed in my waiting room I decided to seek the LORD first, I allow Him to direct, lead and guide me during my waiting time…I changed my desire at that moment when I rededicated my life to Jesus to know Him and serve Him as I wait upon His answer. He comforted and strengthened me in ways I cannot imagine. I served the Lord and allowed Him to use me in His ministry and partake on the mandate of sharing His Word and works in different ways I can. Though my life in a Muslim place is not a bed of roses, as challenges were there, I was totally and completely assured that I am in God's hands and I know I am not alone. I grew in faith and realized that that was the reason why He kept me in the waiting room…to be restored, nourished, and to bloom. 

In the year 2014, after 6 years of waiting and praying, I was checking my email when I got an update from CIC that 50 positions for Skilled Worker as an immigrant were opened and my current position as an HR professional was listed.

I applied and completed all the requirements with the help of the Lord as I asked His guidance and of course the full support of my whole family here in Canada.

Prayers of those around us are very powerful, thanks be to God I finally got the approval after the fourth attempt and we landed in Canada last September of 2016. 

I cannot use proper words to thank the Lord for all His goodness and faithfulness. But the only thing I can testify right now is that He is a faithful God, He is true to His promises as long as we seek Him first and trust Him fully as we surrender everything to Him. He will surely do His part as we wait but we need to do ours also. We should not be idle just waiting but do something for His greater glory.  As I was kept in GOD'S WAITING ROOM, I learned to obey GOD and His Words and stay in His presence until He answered my prayer. 

Let me end my testimony with the verse from which God had impressed upon me during the time of waiting in GOD’S WAITING ROOM in ECCLESIASTES 3:1 IN NKJV;

“To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven”

As we wait upon the Lord, let’s keep ourselves occupied with HIS instructions, be sensitive to HIS words not complaining but PATIENTLY obeying His direction that He will answer according to HIS WILL AND PERFECT TIME as the Lord will never be late. That our hearts should always be thankful in all circumstances, even in times of waiting, as we know HE will answer.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Turning Lemons into Lemonade

By Eprex Balucay

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice always, 

‘Thank you’ is a phrase used by most people and it is overly emphasized when something good has happened. These two words are accompanied mostly by an abundance in things, accepted favours, treats, and such. However, looking into 1 Thessalonians, Paul exhorts the believers to “give thanks in all circumstances…”. The word “all” is not to be overlooked in the slightest bit as it means everything trivial and prejudicial that comes passing in your life. One example in the Bible is Job, the man who had everything taken away from him, yet had the mindset to still thank the Lord for what has happened. He said in Job 1:21b, “…The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 

What had made Job steady and focused on God despite having everything around him crumble before his eyes? Firstly, Job had recognized that everything is for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) and not for his own. We are stewards of everything God has given to us, including our very own lives. Knowing that we are God’s stewards, we are required to be faithful to Him (1 Corinthians 4:2) by serving one another through the gifts that God has entrusted to us (1 Peter 4:10).

Secondly, we are not to be dictated by our fleshly desires anymore, for we have put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13). A reason why we fail to be thankful to God is that we focus more on gratifying what we feel about the situation rather than seeing every circumstance in God’s point of view (Romans 8:5). The old man [the flesh] craves for what he had before: ego and self-gratification which leads to sin unimaginable. Knowing that we are God’s children and not our own, the duty to mortify our sinful self grows more apparent and becomes our daily battle (1 Corinthians 15:31).

Lastly, we must depend fully on God alone, for knowing that we put to death our flesh, our strength comes solely from God (Colossians 1:29). Those who wait on God will have his strength renewed (Isaiah 40:31) and to those who long for rest, Jesus calls His own to run to Him when they are weary (Matthew 11:28-30). When we rest in Jesus and draw our strength from Him, we have none to thank but God Himself.

When trials and problems come, be aware that we are stewards of grace who kill our fleshly desires and draws strength from God. We live for and through God; this reality reveals to us the sovereignty of God in everything, He controls all things, and He always knows what is best for us. 

Love Letter

By Janelle Mellany Umali

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

See, everything was perfect until one serpent with underlying questions of temptation. It led man astray.

Now ever since birth we strived to be blasphemers. Away from God's will and living for "will you give me this, give me that, God?" or even, "will you give me proof that there is God?" See this is what human nature has become..

One particular birth however, forever changed everything.

This baby of innocence, indeed he was sinless.

Proceeded through life just as we have.

Underwent every kind of temptation when He was in the desert in starvation. He gave his followers instructions to live life in the right direction.

He had a confession that He is indeed God, here to bring us salvation.

See he was more than just a man.

Still they beat him.

They whipped him at about 180 beats per minute and his heart did the same.

They forced him to carry his cross across Jerusalem despite him falling flat on his face.

They hammered those nails like it was some sort of percussion.

He had major wounds.

Shameful.

The soldiers spat on him, mocked him, treated him like trash.

Betrayal.

Judas gave him away just for a pile of cash.

Denial.

3 times before the rooster crowed and Peter fled for fear filled him, didn't wanna be bashed.

But what these people don't know is that all this was part of God's plan.

Nail-pierced hands, see the one on his right-hand side was right

Opened his eyes to realize the real lies of accusations upon Christ.

This Christ was righteous, in fact, had the right to come down that cross like "get your facts straight."

Instead He came to straighten our crookedness, cleanse our unrighteousness, moreover He gave His breath to satisfy our breathlessness.

His crucifixion was to write a love letter

All his life his own mother, Mary recognized her son's face but this time it didn't let her

It left her down on her knees weeping. This love letter however paved a way and led her..

Led us. Let us see beyond our own wickedness and trust in His goodness.

This letter was to show us how much He loves us!

The great King fell down, and we were to blame.

All so that we may not have to burn in flames.

Yes, they put a crown of thorns upon His head, and He died a vicious death.

But see the story does not end there. I said the story does not end there!

That love letter of showering bouquets of sin-defeating affection.

Three days later when He rose, it got the world's undivided attention.

"Dazy" , but now I can confess with my tulips,

Jesus is Lord! He came over to die but overcame death! He is risen!

Our total weight of sin He subtracted. Reversed the division between God and man and multiplied our reasons to live this life to the fullest. Excuse the math but now through the trials and suffering, He says "Get up. Been there, done that."

He gave His life so one day He could hold us tight.. say "I'm His and He's mine."

John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

This ultimate sacrifice let us one day be with Him in paradise.