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

Sept. 29, 2016

The Bible will help one become prepared to stand before God on the judgment day. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this, the judgment.” There will be a day of reckoning for mankind. All men will stand before God and give an account of their actions on earth (2 Cor. 5:9-10). If one applies the things studied in Scripture to his life he can be prepared for this great day. Titus 2:11-12 says, “The grace of God has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” This is very relevant to today’s society and all future societies as well. Let us heed what we read!

By God's grace, our bible study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail (also known as Provincial Rehabilitation Center) in Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur was very welcome and properly heard and received by many prisoners who are interested in searching the truth. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, continue to preach the Gospel of Christ. I (Joshua Notarte) lead the songs and brother Ben Dulong has cooperated.

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Funeral Service of Sister Clarita Ada

Sept. 26, 2016

Man has a choice regarding how to spend his life. He can use his life to "sow to the flesh" or "sow to the Spirit." We are free moral beings. However, God's will is that we devote our lives to sowing to the Spirit. Just as Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), Christians should spend their lives doing good. We are created for good works (Eph. 2: 10) and are exhorted to maintain good works (Titus 1:16; 2:14; 3:1,8).

Our sister in Christ, Clarita Ada, died on Sept. 17, 2016 at the age of 65 years old. We asked the reason of her death and they answered, "because of hunger due to long drought last year." She don't have food to eat, starving and cause for complicated illness. Her family is relying only to their little garden. Their place at Malapangi, Arakan, Cotabato was one of the most affected by drought here in the Philippines. She was a member of the Church of Christ and attended the worship services in Malapangi church of Christ and also in Palusok church of Christ, Mua-an, Palusok, Kidapawan City where brother Alejandro Anoling Sr., Carlos Anoling and Danny Dacillo preaches.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte was requested to preach and comfort her family through the word of God during the last funeral service at Mua-an, Kidapawan City. Brother Joseph Notarte lead the songs and brother Alejandro Anoling Sr., Jimmy Noa Sr. and I (Joshua Notarte) had cooperated. The family and relatives of sister Clarita Ada were very thankful for the lessons they heard from the Scriptures and they are also pleading for our prayers in these difficult times in their lives. Please pray for them.

Worship Services 09-25-2016

The church is a divine organization in which man is to worship God. So the worship is divinely appointed. It is to be rendered in (1) the divinely appointed place - the church; (2) at the divinely appointed time - "The Lord's Day" (3) in the divinely appointed manner - in spirit or from the heart; (4) and yet we must do the divinely appointed acts of worship: Praying, studying the Scriptures, partaking of the Lord's supper, singing, and giving. In the divine church, we must worship God according to the divine pattern.

The following is the preaching schedule we've been working:

9:00 - 12:00 PM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) preached in 2 congregations of the Church of Christ. 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 and he help leading the songs.

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 and with the cooperation of brother Cebe Arjay Notarte, Rino Minggong, Mencio Mangcal, Romel Cabaña, etc.

Brother Joseph Notarte was requested to preach at Taclobo church of Christ, Taclobo, Libertad, Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal. Together with him who preached was brother Jerry Catamora.

At the same time, Felipe Tula Jr. and Valente Tumol Sr. preached at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Brother Advincula Odas, one of the preachers at Bitaug church of Christ was sent to preach at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Felipe Tula Jr. preached on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. Brother Renato Bogoy lead the songs. The preachers who cooperated were brother Jonathan Notarte, Cebe Arjay Notarte, Salvador Flores and Romel Cabaña. 

Gospel Meeting at Blazan church of Christ, Blazan, Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur (2 SOULS BAPTIZED)

Sept. 24, 2016

We should not underestimate the power of the Gospel Meeting. Through this work, the faith of the brethren will be strengthen and many lost souls will have opportunity of hear the truth and obey it.

We give the glory to God as the Gospel meeting at BLAZAN CHURCH OF CHRIST, Blazan, Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur was successful and fruitful. We can always remember how the congregation started here since 1972. My grandfather, Ruben Notarte, and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, first preached at Malawanit church of Christ, Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur and baptized 60 souls in one day. After a year, Blazan church of Christ was established because those who were baptized were very eager in preaching the truth. They continue to serve God and many of them died faithfully to Christ.

The church building at Blazan church of Christ was one of the church buildings that were burned by Muslim rebels way back 1973. Many brethren had evacuated but their faith to God help them to establish a new congregation wherever they went. One of them that still remain is Malinan church of Christ, Malinan, Kidapawan City. Most of those brethren came from this place.

At the present, brother William Batawan, Roque Tari, Rogelio Tari, etc. are the preachers in this congregation. They have elders and deacons who are active for the Lord's work. Please pray for our "fellow helpers for truth" here as they do their best in preaching and edifying the brethren.

 

We are thankful for this time because our car was able to reach the place safely. Although we were very worried because we don't have extra tire.

Every year, we are always invited to be their SPEAKERS to preach the word of God. This time the speakers were brother: 1. Little Tari, 2. Joseph Notarte, 3. Cenon Taña , 4. I (Joshua A. Notarte), 5. Franklin Isla, and 6. Julie Divine A. Notarte

After preaching the Gospel of Christ, 2 souls came forward during the invitation song and were baptized by brother Julie Divine A. Notarte at the river. Their names are: 1. Jesstony Sasil and 2. Charise Dayal. They heard the truth for many times through the help of the preachers here but we give all the glory to God! Please pray for our new brethren in Christ.

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

Sept. 22, 2016


The Bible contains information on how to be saved. As long as mankind exists, there will be someone who will need to be saved. God’s plan of salvation is found only in the Bible! Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” Later, in John 8:32, Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” And that truth is found in the Bible (John 17:17).

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, continue to preach the word of God during our bible study with the prisoners at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail where 18 souls baptized and many more are willing and decided after hearing about the forgiveness of sins and the need of salvation. This time, brother Julie preached about the Church which is the called out body and the people who are saved. Brother Joseph Notarte lead the songs and brother Ben Dulong, Jonathan Notarte and I (Joshua Notarte) had cooperated. We always give thanks to God for the success he gave in preaching His words inside the jail.

Home Bible Study with Brother Romel Cabaña's family

Sept. 21, 2016

How important is Bible study to you? Certainly there are many trials and temptations that have a tendency to hinder us from study. However, these can be overcome if one wants to overcome bad enough (1 Cor. 10:13). Is being affluent in knowledge of the Scriptures toward the top of your priorities? As Christians we are expected by God to be knowledgeable in the Word of God. For example, Paul told the Ephesian brethren, “do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).  In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul told Timothy to “be diligent (study, KJV) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the truth.” We should strive just as much as the first century Christians did to find and know God’s will for mankind.

We are always glad to have bible study with the family of Romel Cabaña at Purok 20-A, Campo 10, Guihing, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. They are very eager to learn the truth and accept God's teaching with whole heart. They are radio listeners of the Church of Christ for a year until they contacted us and attended the worship services at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City until they obey the Gospel through baptism which we did last August 5, 2016. After that, they always invited us to have more bible studies in their house and we enjoy opening our bibles and were challenged to answer their bible questions. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preach the word of God with Joseph and Jonathan Notarte.

Worship Services 09-18-2016

Sept. 18, 2016

The beauty in worship which the Lord demands is "the beauty of holiness" (Psa. 29:2). To be "holy" is to be set apart from sin. Christians are a "holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5). God does not require that you possess a beautiful voice in order to sing His praises, but He does command that you possess a beautiful life. One cannot live a sinful life and offer holy worship unto God. You cannot live for the devil six days a week and expect the Father to accept your worship on the first day of the week.

Every Sunday Worship Services, I and my co-preachers do what we can to preach in different congregations in helping the brethren edify in their faith and continue to remain faithful to God.

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I (Joshua A. Notarte), preached on the worship service at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Together with me who preached was brother Valente Tumol Sr. who is one of the elders in this local church. Brother Janful Tumol lead the songs and brother Dominggo Mantilla, Victor Laureto and Valente Tumol Jr. had cooperated. I am thankful to the brethren here who actively participated in the Lord's work.

Brother Advincula Odas (one of the elders in Bitaug church of Christ) was sent to preach at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

At the same time, brother Joseph A. Notarte and Julie Divine A. Notarte preached at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur. They were assisted by brother Cebe Arjay Notarte, Joey Bilang, Renato Bogoy, etc.

Brother Jonathan A. Notarte preached in 2 congregations. First, he preached at New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. After that, he preached at Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - I requested Brother Salvador Flores to preach at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. He is an old member of the Church of Christ from M'lang, Cotabato. The preachers who cooperated were brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Felipe Tula Jr., Renato Taborada (who lead the songs) and I (Joshua Notarte).

Funeral Service of Wilma Notarte & Radio Preaching at Night

Sept. 17, 2016

Funerals open wide the door to preach the great themes of the Gospel. The certainly of death, the sinfulness of sin, judgment to come, the universal need of a Savior, the terms of pardon, the resurrection, and the hope of heaven through the forgiveness in Christ Jesus!

On the last funeral service of Wilma Notarte, we were requested to preach and comfort her family through the word of God. Brother Franklin Isla was the speaker and I (Joshua Notarte) lead the songs with the cooperation of brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Joey Bilang, Renato Taborada and Felipe Tula Jr.

At 6:00-6:30 PM, the Gospel of Christ was preached in the Radio Program of the Church of Christ at Radyo Ukay Digos 104.7 FM and 1161 Mhz AM. I and my brothers in flesh, Joseph and Jonathan preached here for many years through the help of our father, Julie Divine A. Notarte. Our radio program started through my grandfather, Ruben Notarte. Until now, we continue this work and it was very helpful in converting many lost souls. 

Funeral Service of Wilma Notarte (4th time)

Sept. 16, 2016

It's a great opportunity to preach the Gospel of Christ during the funeral services of Wilma Notarte, our close relative who died due to cancer. This is the last night and many more had attended. For several nights, many lessons were taught and we were all thankful and blessed from them. Brother Julie Divine A. Notarte was requested to preach this night with the cooperation of brother Joseph Notarte (who lead the songs), Jonathan Notarte, Felipe Tula Jr. and Renato Taborada.

Bible Study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail & Funeral Service at Night

Sept. 15, 2016

By God's grace, the work of the Lord continues to bear fruit at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Many prisoners were still interested in hearing the truth during our bible study from 9:00-10:00 AM. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached about the most important question in Acts 22:16, "Why Are You Waiting?" Several prisoners in this jail are already decided to be baptized but some need more further study. And so, we invited them not to delay in obeying the Gospel of Christ. Please help us pray that many more souls will obey when we can finally schedule the baptism. I (Joshua A. Notarte) lead the songs and other preachers who cooperated were brother Ben Dulong, Jonathan Notarte and Dionisio Tol.

At night, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte continue to preach at Nebrada, Bansalan, Davao del Sur in the wake of Wilma Notarte. The word of God was plainly taught that helped comforting her family and relatives. Brother Felipe Tula Jr. lead the songs and brother Jonathan Notarte, Joey Bilang and Renato Taborada had cooperated.