Bible Study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

December 29, 2016

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do" (Phil. 4:9). What do we see that Paul did? "And Paul . . . reasoned with them out of the Scriptures" (Acts 17:2). He didn't just assert that Jesus was the Christ, he proved it to the Jews with Scripture. Apollos did the same by "shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ" (Acts 18:28). Let us "follow" their example" (1 Cor. 11:1).

We continue to preach on the weekly bible study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail (also known as "Provincial Rehabilitation Center") in Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur where about 500 prisoners detained and 77 of them were baptized and become members of the Church of Christ. 

This time, brother Ben Dulong preached the word of God. Brother Felipe Tula Jr. also lead the songs and other preachers who cooperated were brother Jonathan Notarte and Renato Taborada. Sister Susan Dulong, the wife of Ben Dolong also has cooperated.

Vacation Bible School at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur

December 25-28, 2016

Paul wrote to a young man, Timothy, “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, that without ceasing, I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Tim. 1:3-5). This wonderful example shows us that raising moral children in an immoral world is possible. However, that does not mean that it will be easy. It is going to take our effort, prayers and dedication. If a parent is faithfully serving Christ, then his goal should be to make disciples of his children (cf. Matt. 28:19)

The Digos City church of Christ conducted a Vacation Bible School from the Evening of December 25 until December 28, 2016. This was attended by young men and women of this congregation. Some also came from different places who are willing to spend their vacation by learning how to live Christians in their youth. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte and my brothers in flesh, Joseph Notarte and Jonathan Notarte were the host and arranged the activities. We received many good feedback from those who attended which help us plan to make another VBS in the near future, God willing.

4 Souls Baptized at Purok Bolinao, Dawis, Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

December 26, 2016 @ 9:00 AM

Apostle Paul states that "by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." The body of which he speaks is the church. Elsewhere he wrote, "And hath put all things under his feet. and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). The only way a person can become a member of the Lord's church is to be baptized into the one body.

Four (4) precious souls submitted to baptism after the bible study at Purok Bolinao, Dawis, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Through the help of brother Jimmy Noa Sr. and his son, Jimmy Noa Jr., these men and women heard the truth until they decided to submit in baptism.

Before they went to the water, my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, was requested to speak and preach more about the importance of baptism. Brother Jimmy Noa Jr. lead the songs. Together with them who attended are the members from Gubatan church of Christ, Gubatan, Magpet, Cotabato.

After the bible study, they immediately went to the water and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, baptized them. We give all the glory to God! Brother Jonathan Notarte also cooperated and he read some scriptures to edify their faith in Christ.

My wife, Glaiza L. Notarte, had an accident

December 26, 2016 @ 5:00 AM

"God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care for another. And whether one suffereth, all suffer . . . or one member is honored, all rejoice . . ." 
(1 Cor. 12:24-26).

My wife, Glaiza L. Notarte, had an accident while she was riding a tricycle going to her work in Davao City. The tricycle that she was riding was bumped to a taxi that is picking a passenger. Among all the passengers, my wife had more serious injuries and wounds. My wife is 4 months pregnant and during the accident, her stomach was painful. She was rushed to Davao Doctor's Hospital and was put directly to the Delivery Room. But thanks to God, after an hour, the doctor declares that our son was safe in her womb after all the medical examinations and observations.

The owner of the tricycle is very poor. He could not pay the damages even the whole amount of the hospital expenses. But even I also is not capable in paying our hospital expenses. I must find and plead help to others. Thankfully, my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, help us financially for our hospital expenses. I and my wife, would like to give thanks to all who pray for her immediate recovery.

Worship Services 12-25-2016

Does it really matter how we worship God? Many would say "no," but the Bible say "YES." God has told us both what to do and how to do it. We must do what (“in truth”) God says to do, in the way (“in spirit”) that he said to do it! Men are not at liberty to just make up their own form of worship. In the area of religious service, God is not pleased with human ingenuity (Prov. 3:5-6; Jer. 10:23); but instead, He is pleased with human obedience (1 Sam. 15:22-23).

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached on the worship service at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Brother Ruel Eloy lead the songs and brother Joseph Notarte, Cebe Arjay Notarte, Renato Taborada, Mencio Mangcal, Romel Cabaña, etc. had cooperated.

Brother Jonathan Notarte and Valente Tumol Sr. preached at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

At the same time, brother Advincula Odas, was sent to preach at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Brother Pedro Perez was requested to preach in 2 congregations for the worship services. First, he preached at New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. Second, he preached at Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur. 

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Jonathan Notarte preached on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. The preachers who cooperated were brother Joseph Notarte, Renato Taborada, Joey Bilang and Felipe Tula Jr.

Prayers for Sister Josefina Notarte and his family

December 22, 2016

Trust God and have faith in prayers will help us in times of sickness. As what the bible says, "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (James 5:14-15).

Our sister in Christ, Josefina Notarte, was confined at Reagan Memorial Hospital, Tagum City due to complicated illness. She is the wife of our co-preacher, brother Rudy Coercy A. Notarte, who is also sick since he was stroke due to high blood pressure last January 19, 2016. He is still under recovery and we are thankful that he was able to preach last Sunday worship for the first time since he was stoke. 

The daughter of brother Edward Notarte was also confined in the same hospital at Reagan Memorial Hospital in Tagum City. Brother Edward is helping in preaching at Tagum City church of Christ, Tagum, Davao del Norte.

They asked for our prayers and help. They already spent hundreds of thousands because of the hospital expenses and medicines. They have great debts because of their hard condition. We prayed that God may touch the hearts of the brethren who are able.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, with my mother, Estrella Notarte, and brothers, Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Cebe Arjay Notarte, and sister Edden Notarte had visited and pray for them.

59 Souls Baptized at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail

December 21, 2016

Are you a member of the body of Christ? If not, you are outside of Christ, in the kingdom of Satan, and lost. We wish for all men to be saved. Life is too short, eternity is too long and hell is too horrible for one to die in a lost condition. The Sinner's Greatest Need .. .repent of his sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 17:30), confess his faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10), and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27).

By God's grace, the unsearchable riches of the Gospel of Christ to seek and save the lost was preached at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail (also known as "Provincial Rehabilitation Center") in Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur. This day, we give all the glory to God for the harvest has come. 59 PRECIOUS SOULS obey the Gospel through water baptism.

For safety purposes, the jail guards only allow us to baptized them by group according the their cell and we are still thankful for it. Every group, my father preached first the importance of baptism according to the great commission of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). After preaching the truth, we went immediately to the water put in a drum where everyone could be buried in water.

The pictures shown below were the first batch who submitted to baptism:

The following pictures are the 2nd batch who submitted to baptism. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, baptized them. Other preachers who cooperated were brother Ben Dulong, Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Felipe Tula Jr., Ruel Eloy and I (Joshua A. Notarte) but we give all the glory to God.

The last pictures below are the 3rd batch who submitted to baptism. Many more prisoners were not baptized this time. Please pray that God may give us another opportunity next time to baptized them.

Worship Services 12-18-2016

God is the one to be worshiped. But worship of God is possible only when we sustain the right relationship to God. One outside the family of God cannot render acceptable worship to Him. In 1 Pet. 4:16, Peter says, "if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name." It is in the name "Christian" that one can glorify God. Those that attempt to worship outside of the name "Christian" worship in vain.

9:00 - 11:00 AM - Brother Julie Divine A. Notarte and Jonathan Notarte preached at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Brother Joey Bilang lead the songs. The prechers who cooperated were brother Cebe Arjay Notarte, Mencio Mangcal, Romel Cabaña, etc.

At the same time, brother Joseph Notarte and Valente Tumol Sr. preached at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

I (Joshua A. Notarte) preached in 2 congregations on the worship services. First, I preached at New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. Second, I preached at Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur. Together with me was brother Ruel Eloy.

Brother Advincula Odas preached at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Jonathan Notarte preached again on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur.