Christmas Sacrifices 2009

As the whole world is celebrating the Christmas Season, greeting each other happy holidays, the Ottawa brethren is in the spirit of sacrifices and dedication. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it also brings us to dedicate more to do the work for God with sacrifices. This Christmas celebratin brings us to the event of the first Christmas. The angel announced, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." ( Luke 2:10-11 NIV) The announcement was clear and had brought great joy to those who have received it, the blessed shepherds on the field. But to Mary and Joseph, it was a big sacrifice to bear, the kind of situation they are in. Joseph needs to accept Mary as his wife even though he knew that Mary has a baby that is not from him (Matthew 1:19-21 NIV). Mary on the other hand needs to bore the baby even though she was not yet married (Luke 1:26 to 38 NIV).  Much more to the Only Son of God. The Christ took the form of a man according to the body prepared for Him. (Hebrews 10:5-9 NIV). When the time had fully come, He came down to earth to fulfill what is being required of Him to save mankind. (Galacians 4:4-5 NIV). Even though He is the Son of God, yet because God loved us so much He was sent to us for us to have the assurnce of salvation. (John 3:16 NIV).The first Christmas was full of sacrifices and patience. In this spirit, the Ottawa brethren are dedicating their lives with sacrifices and patience in doing the work of God. Even though it is hard and the weather is very cold, yet it didn't hinder the brethren in participating the global caroling project of the church. They also bore the shame being rejected sometimes, but they still have the joy in their hearts knowing that they are doing it for the Lord. As they set a goal to reach for this Christmas 2009, the Ottawa brethren continue to do their caroling and apartment ministry. Through the leadership of their head pastor, Pastor Joie Medina together with the elders, Bro. Elmer Medina, Sis Ruth Malihan and Bro. Dindo Malihan, the brethren in each group are trying their best to participate in these sacrifices. They continue to look forward to the victory that God has instored for them. With dedication, they are doing their ministries with gladness in their hearts. They knew that once again God had made them victorious. To God be all the glory!