Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.12.2020

The Lord is Risen! Hallelujah!

I hope you were able to watch our livestream Easter Service today. And if you've joined us, THANK YOU for celebrating with us the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5)

Here are some of the fine points of the message:

• Let's learn from the faithfulness of the women who stayed with Jesus until he was buried and were also the first ones to go to the tomb on resurrection morning.

• The disciples were on a lockdown on resurrection morning out of fear ("the doors being locked where the disciples were"). Now that we have Jesus' resurrection power, there is nothing to fear.

• Jesus' post-resurrection message is about His peace for troubled souls, the promise of the Holy Spirit, forgiving others, proclaiming the gospel, and His promise that He will be with us till the end of the age.

This week, let us go forth in the power of the risen Christ telling others about this living hope that we can have by accepting the gift of eternal life through Jesus. Let's help people find the living, life in Christ, among the dead things that don't bring hope and satisfaction. God bless you my brothers and sisters!

Pastor's Briefing: 4.11.2020

"We can't operate out of hysteria. When people are hysterical they don't do logical things." That quote is from Dr. Ben Carson, a former pediatric neurosurgeon. He is reassuring the American people that in these troubled times we should always keep a balanced perspective and not operating out of fear. There is a Bible verse that tells us to be calm:

"Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

I just have a couple of things:

• We will be celebrating the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tomorrow! If Friday was good, then Sunday is extremely good! We will not commemorate the Holy Communion or the Lord's Table as we already did it last night.

• The Children's Ministry continues to have their Virtual Bible Lessons every Sunday from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Please reach out to sis. Jenny Agngarayngay or any of the Sunday School teachers for details on how your children can join the video live conference.

The White House Task Force is carefully studying the possibility of reopening the economy soon with safety measures in place. Please be in prayer about this as we will take our cue from our officials. We may be able to go back to our worship center sooner than expected but with a new normal. "See you" tomorrow and please invite your friends to like our FFWC page. We are getting hundreds of views and people are hearing the gospel for the first time. Praise God!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.10.2020

We will have our Good Friday service tonight, "FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS TO THE CROSS," starting at 7:30 pm. Please join us as we livestream our service. We will remember the Lord's Supper on the night before Jesus went to the cross. So please have a piece of bread and a cup of grape juice ready.

Since we are having our communion tonight, we will not have one this coming Sunday as we will celebrate the glorious Resurrection morning!Here's a piece of good news:

• Gov. Pritzker stated that the rate of increase of fatalities due to COVID-19 in the state is "looking less and less exponential" and we may be "bending the curve." But he advised everyone to still be very mindful of safety precautionary measures in place to ensure we do not have a surge. God always intervenes when His people humble themselves and pray! We give all the praise to the Lord and continue to wage spiritual warfare until this virus is completely eliminated. We will soon be back to FFWC, the Lord willing!

Here's a verse for us to ponder today:

"By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:14,15)

Our livestream will be viewed on our FFWC public page in the same way we did our worship service last Sunday.

Please pass the word on. Thank you!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.9.2020

Yesterday, I had the chance to talk and pray with Pastor Peter Wong, the Missions Advocate for Advancing Native Missions (ANM) based in Virginia, formerly headed by Atty. Bo Barredo. ANM is currently supporting 11,000 local missionaries worldwide (that's amazing!). We have been supporting 10 ANM missionaries for years in addition to Pastor Chuck and sis. Liza of Agape World Missions and Justin and Melissa of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Please pray for the daughter of one of our missionaries, Davy Montes, who was exposed to a COVID-19 patient and is awaiting results. Pastor Danny Montes and his wife, Cita Montes are ministering in Samar, Philippines. In relation to this...

• Please let's remember to pray for all of our missionaries worldwide during this hard economic times. The gospel is being preached nonstop and people are still getting saved. By the grace of God, we continue to send support to all of our missionaries every month.

• ANM has a total of 70 ministries they support in the Philippines comprising of 1,800 native missionaries. Some of them are ministering in rebel and muslim areas.

• Many of the missionaries live in regions where access to healthcare and government relief is minimal and often nonexistent and this makes them particularly vulnerable.

Let's pray for healing not only for the physical but more so for the spiritual healing/salvation of every person. Physical healing is temporary at best, but spiritual healing is eternal and concerns the very destiny of a person' soul.

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.8.2020

It was an awesome feeling being outdoors yesterday experiencing a great summer-like weather even when everyone's on the edge. Our boys enjoyed it to the hilt by playing football in our backyard.

We are beginning to realize that the little things that we often take for granted in the past are now of primary importance to us. The Word of God tells us that whatever we do, let's do it all for God. When we do it for God, the little ordinary things of life become more meaningful and significant.

"So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

I just have the following to pass on today:

• We will have a livestream service this coming Friday in commemoration of the passion of Christ that culminated on the cross. We will reenact the Lord's Supper and so we will have a communion. Please prepare a bread and a cup of grape juice. We will start at 7:30 pm (to give more time for people to prepare).

• Nothing beats home-cooked meals, but if you are planning on ordering your Easter brunch, lunch, or dinner. Here's a great link that you can check and have the options of either a delivery, takeout, or curbside pickup: https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-food-delivery-curbside-pick-up-coronavirus-20200319-yd47bn4fjrchxfzcs7s4cdxouu-htmlstory.html

Let's keep meditating on this week's powerful and compelling events in the life of our Lord Jesus as he went through the darkest period of his life when he bore your sins and my sins on the cross. As this week and the next are being touted as the most difficult time in our nation's battle against the deadly virus, let's remind ourselves that this is also the week in which Jesus defeated, disarmed, and destroyed the greatest virus of all - sin and death! The promise of the resurrection was not an empty promise. It is the greatest miracle of all!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.7.2020

During extended times of shelter-in-place patience may run thin and tempers could easily flare up among family members. It's good for us to remember that the fruit of the Holy Spirit doesn't get quarantined. Here they are:

"But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23)

Ask the Holy Spirit to keep filling you up with His fruit and allow Him to manifest them in your life. It's His fruit and not our own so it does not come from our own ability, it can only come when we are living by the Spirit and walking in step with the Spirit.

A glimmer of hope from the following reports:

• New York City may be seeing a "flattening of the curve" although the number of deaths is still high. But let's keep praying for every state.

• California is reported to be seeing the same trend. They just returned 500 ventilators back to the national stockpile.

• Today will be the warmest weather of the year so far. Enjoy the sunshine but let's not drop our guard down. Keep social distancing at the forefront of our minds.

Our state continues to see an increase in cases but let's pray that after next week, we would see a flattening of the curve. Resurrection Sunday is coming! We will rise from this pandemic stronger and more determined than ever to live for the Lord. But we need to continue to be on our knees, repenting, seeking, and drawing closer to God, recognizing that He is sovereign over all. God bless!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.6.2020

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)

There will be tougher times ahead this week and the next, but we hold on to the promise of God that "no weapon (the COVID-19 included) that is formed against us shall prosper." This is indeed the heritage of the servants of the Lord and we claim this promise for everyone.

Just a couple of things to pass on to you:

• We have a sister who's been sewing face masks and sending them for free to people who are in dire of need them. This has been sort of a ministry for her. If you have any extra fabrics that you can donate, please let us know. Drop them off at our church building (contact bro. Jhun) and I can pick them up. Thank God for dedicated people like her who is part of the battle against this pandemic.

• Here's a bit of good news for our state: McCormick Place has been turned into a 2,500 bed hospital by the Army Corps of Engineer, 600 ventilators and hundreds of thousands of N95 masks, surgical masks, face shields, gowns and gloves have been provided for by the Federal Gov't. The task force headed by VP Pence is doing all they can to respond to each individual state. Let's continue to pray for them.

Let's continue to persevere. Let's pray, hope, and believe that after these next two weeks, we will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the Lord willing. God bless you my brothers and sisters and have a safe and productive week ahead.

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.5.2020

Thank you all for joining us today in our live Palm Sunday worship streamed through the internet. Our FFWC public page has reached 1,005, with 881 engagement, and 657 views. Praise God! We are reaching more and more people for the glory of God!

Here's a couple of things:

• The weather is really going to be great this week! We are almost in the 70s on Tuesday (but with some rain). Please continue to exercise caution and social distancing.

• As mentioned earlier, we have included Samaritan's Purse in our giving menu to include a Benevolence Fund for struggling families. Economic times are hard, but if you have the ability to bless others, please consider designating your gift to these. Go to ffwcchicago.com and click on the "give" tab or text any amount to (773) 570-9552. All gifts are tax-deductible. Sis. Jenny A (Admin Sec), bro. Dennis (Treasurer), and sis. Armie (Bookkeeper) are overseeing all of our funds and please reach out to them if you have any question. Thank you all for your faithfulness!

Here's one of the verses we read today:
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." - Luke 19:40
I like how the New Living Translation puts it:
He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” - Luke 19:40

Don't just be a quiet worshipper :)

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.4.2020

"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 For. 5:7,8)

We will be commemorating the Lord's Supper tomorrow remembering that Christ, our Passover Lamb, has delivered us from sin and death into life of righteousness and freedom. Please have a piece of bread and juice ready before our livestream worship tomorrow at 10:45 am.

I just have one thing:

• Chicago public health commissioner states that cloth face coverings is a good idea to help stop spread of the virus. Our current confirmed cases as of today in the state of Illinois is at 8,904 and 210 casualties. While these are big and growing numbers, we thank God for all the recovered patients. 80% of all cases worldwide have recovered and 95% are only experiencing mild symptoms. We continue to pray for the 5% critical ones and those families who have lost a loved one.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, a celebration of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem before facing the cross. Let's take time to give honor and glory to the King who came and shed His blood for our eternal salvation.

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.3.2020

"So that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:7,8)

Our Lord promised that He "will sustain us to the end" even until the day when Jesus comes back. What a wonderful promise that we can rely on in times like these. No one else can sustain us but God and when He makes a promise like that, you can bank on it and trust Him that He will fulfill what He promised.

I just have a couple of things to pass on today:

• We just attended a White House zoom video conference briefing from the President's Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander matters. They assured us that the President has in mind the safety and welfare of all faith-based organizations in the country. Commissioner/Pastor Herman Martir is the head of the Adisory Commission. He led in the prayer for the President and the nation.

• CDC is closed to issuing guidelines for people to wear face masks when out in public. I say whether guidelines will be officially issued or not today, I would enjoin you to wear one. This is not only for your safety but for the safety of people you come in contact with.

Our greatest assets in a constitutional republic are our deeply held freedom of movement, travel, worship, and the like. But they can also become our biggest weaknesses especially when by force of nature or circumstances those freedoms are being limited or restricted for the greater good.

Other countries have implemented draconian measures and are successful for the most part. But majority of the Western world is not used to it. We can definitely flatten the curve and prevent thousands of casualties if we limit our freedom, albeit temporarily, for the sake of our healthcare professionals, others, and that of our loved ones. Staying home saves lives!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.2.2020

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow weary and increases the power of the weak." (Isaiah 40:28,29)

The numbers that experts are predicting about the number of deaths in the US using different models are truly staggering and unimaginable. But numbers are just numbers. We trust in the power and ability of God to turn the tide around for our good. Let's keep praying and humbling ourselves before God. Let's cry out for mercy and intercede for our nation and the world. Let's pray that the scourge of this virus will end soon.

I have the following to pass on to you:

• We will continue to commemorate the Lord's Supper every Sunday. Please have a piece of bread and juice ready and we will partake together this Sunday. It's been said that John Wesley, the great revivalist, partook of the communion 3 to 4 times weekly. Jesus, himself, said to do it as often as we can in remembrance of Him.

• Our service will be livestreamed at 10:45 am this Sunday on our public FFWC page. Please invite your friends to like our page so that they can watch.

Our phone prayer line is open every night at 8:00 pm. We have a growing number of people who are joining us who have a heavy burden for their families and friends. Send us names of people you want to be prayed for and we will lift them up individually before the Lord. Now is the time to call upon the Lord while we can. Stay strong and focused on the goodness of the Lord for His "mercy fails not, they are new every morning." To pray with us, call (480) 297-0773, then enter code: 4715693#

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 4.1.2020

Though present circumstances may not be the ideal one, we still thank God for you and celebrate with you for another year of blessings and grace from the Lord. Life is precious and every second, day, week, month and year count. May God continue to bless and preserve your lives for the glory of His name!

Even with the stay-at-home order, we continue to build community and encourage one another. The following groups will be meeting this week through Zoom live video conferencing and Google Hangout. Please let us know if you are interested in joining, we will send you the video link:

• Keepers of Faith - Thursday at 6 pm (for older adults) Point of Contact: Bro. Dennis Howard

• Youth IMPACT - Saturday at 1 pm (for young people) Point of Contact: Pastor Warren Fleras

• Refuge of Faith - Saturday at 4 pm (mix of young/adult couples and families with teenagers) Points of Contact: Sis. Glenda Lacson and Dr. Archie Hong.

• Anchor of Faith - Sunday at 4 pm (for young couples and families with teenagers) Point of Contact: Pastor Warren Fleras

• Young Adults - Sunday at 5 pm (thru Google Hangouts): Point of Contact: Bro. Ched Cuaresma.

• Sunday School for Children - Sunday at 9:30 am. Point of Contact: Sis. Jenny Agngarayngay

If you or your children are interested in joining any of the above communities, please let us know and we will send you the link so that you can access the group. Or if you just simply want to check it out. We are made for community, believe it or not.

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.31.2020

We thank God for the 176,058 (81%) patients worldwide who recovered from COVID-19!

Sometimes the negative gets magnified more than the positive. Paul admonishes us, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Phil. 4:8)

We do not deny that there are many horrible things that are happening but we are not to solely focus on them. We are to focus on the promises and assurance of the Word of God.

Here are more good news:

• Samaritan Purse, a Christian organization, opens a 68-bed makeshift field hospital in Central Park, New York. It is comprised of 14 tents and will receive patients from overburdened hospitals.

• The My Pillow guy, Mike Lindell, is producing and donating 50,000 masks a day to provide for our health care workers. Many private companies are doing this and not just masks.

• Abbott just launched a 5-minute virus test for use almost anywhere. It's so small and portable that it can be used in almost any health care setting. Abbott plans to supply 50,000 tests a day starting tomorrow.

• MIT-based team (engineers, physicians, scientists) works on rapid deployment of open-source, low cost ventilator to alleviate hospital shortages.

There are many positive things and breakthroughs happening in the midst of so much devastation. God is actively working in our midst even when we are not aware of it. I'd like to quote what Mike Lindell said from the White House:

"God gave us grace on November 8, 2016, to change the course we were on. God has been taken out of our schools and lives, a nation had turned its back on God. I encourage you to use this time at home to get back in the word. Read our Bible and spend time with our families."

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.30.2020

In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles (Psalm 34:6).

Sometimes we have to be desperate enough to cry out before the Lord for help. It's not that God does not listen. He looks at whether we truly mean what we pray and we pray what we truly mean.

Just a couple of reminders:

• Let's be proactive about our health to boost our immune system, exercise, and eat healthy (that one may be difficult!). But we are in for the long haul. We are not only to be spiritually ready but physically fit as well. We can always ask God to give us good health, but we need to eat healthy and exercise :)

• If we look around us or read the news, things can be depressing. But if we look up and realize how big and powerful God is, we can be calm and steady. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher our faith.

With many negative news swirling around, the good news of salvation still rings loud and clear. Jesus still saves. Jesus still forgives. Jesus still rescues. And He is coming back soon! -- 

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.29.2020

Thank you everyone for watching our livestream service today. Next Sunday, we plan on moving the livestream service to our public page. So please "like" our Faith Family Worship public page so that you can watch it from there. There will also be a link from this private FB group to get you to the public page. Ask your friends to "like" our FB page so that they can also watch our service. Thank you!

Just a few things:

• I was just watching the President's live briefing earlier today and some good news were mentioned about how masks and ventilators are being produced at record breaking pace in the millions. Let's pray for all the big corporations to come together to help our front liners protect themselves in this battle.

• Social distancing guidelines will be in full effect until April 30 according to the White House to mitigate the skyrocketing cases in the nation.

• Group Bible studies are starting to get back up through online meetings. Most of our people are getting reconnected again. Please feel free to join any of these groups. Announcements are being made in our FB group.

I would like to thank all the ministry leaders who participated in our online meeting today. Your leaders are fully engaged and they are helping follow up our church members and guests in the past. We are here for everyone. Please let us know if you ever need any help.

"Lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.28.2020

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:10)

That is my prayer for all of us today. That as we go through these troubling times and after these things are over, God will restore our confidence in Him, confirm His presence, strengthen our love for Him, and establish our faith in Christ.

Just a couple of reminders for all of us today:

• We will celebrate the Holy Eucharist (literal translation, "thanksgiving") or the Lord's Supper tomorrow. Please have a piece of bread and a cup of grape juice ready before the live stream service begins at 10:45 am. We will proceed to the Holy Communion after sis. Cathy leads in the songs and before the message. We will have communion every Sunday.

• Please lift up in your prayers the pastor and congregation of Life Church of Glenview. 43 of the congregation are ill including the pastor, 10 have tested positive of COVID-19.

We continue to hear of distressing news but we know the end of the story. God still reigns. God is still victorious over all things. He is not caught by surprise and neither should we. He encourages us, "Take heart, I have overcome the world." If He has overcome the world, then we can overcome because He is present within us!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.27.2020

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." (1 Peter 4:19)

Suffering while doing good. There is great virtue in that. Not an easy thing to do by any means. But once we learn to "entrust our souls to a faithful Creator" the impossible becomes possible. Our pain becomes a source of ministry unto others.

Here are a couple of things:

• Keep praying and interceding for our nation and New York City. Our state has seen a rapid spike in cases: 2,535 with 26 deaths. The rise in cases may be attributed to a more robust testing and that can be a good sign as more infected people are being identified and isolated.

• We will livestream our service this Sunday from our home at 10:45 am. Please have a grape juice and a piece of bread on the ready as we will commemorate the Holy Communion right after sis. Cathy leads in the songs.

Psalm 91 tells us not to "fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. One thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand may fall on our right hand, BUT IT WILL NOT COME NEAR us!

Hallelujah and blessed be unto His name forever more!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.26.2020

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

We are to maintain a thankful heart even during these troubling times. We are not thankful "for" everything but rather thankful "in" everything. In the same way we thank God for our healthcare workers, we thank Him for the grocery workers who stock the shelves and truck drivers who transport food. We thank Him for the internet and social media where we can still establish connections. We thank Him for the blessings of family and friends. It is His will that we maintain an attitude of gratitude, joy, and praise in everyday circumstances.

I'd like to pass on the following:

• Local news: Due to many people who are still congregating and staying close with each other, Chicago's Mayor has closed the city's Lakefront Trail, adjoining parks, beaches, The 606 trail and the Riverwalk.

• Please be mindful that Chicago Police will start enforcing stay-at-home orders for people who violate them without valid reasons to be out and about. We can still be outside for a brief respite but extended runs or bike rides will not be allowed. A warning will be given first, then a citation.

Nice warm spring weather is slowly creeping in, praise God! But let's continue to abide by current guidelines on shelter-in-place. Stay smart. Stay safe. Stay home. And be prayerful. We are going to get through this. God bless everyone!

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.25.2020

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith." (I Thessalonians 3:7)

During times of distress, we best exemplify our faith to the unbelieving world. Genuine faith anchored on the Word of God will always inspire and encourage others. A good question for us to ask is, "How am I exercising my faith during these trying times to encourage others?"

Just a couple of good news to pass on today:

• While cases continue to rise, Chicago scores an "A" on Social Distancing Scoreboard according to GPS analysis project. Let's continue to support current social practices that not only promote the protection of the community but especially for our healthcare workers. The less patients they have to see, the safer it is for them to do their work effectively and without the entire healthcare system being overwhelmed by the influx of cases.

• The President of the United States optimistically declared that he hopes we can have a semblance of normal economic activity by Easter, April 12th, while still strictly adhering to social distancing. Let's pray that Resurrection Sunday will be a promising new beginning for all of us!

I just saw this post today, "You are called to be the Physical Presence of the gospel in your community." With what's going on around us, opportunities abound to demonstrate our faith in tangible terms to a truth-seeking, desperate humanity.

Pastor's Daily Briefing: 3.24.2020

"For we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

"In all things" means in every situation or circumstance in life whether good or bad. While confronted with an invisible enemy the likes of which we have never seen before, God is still working. He is actively engaged in the affairs of individuals and nations. And it is for our own good, never for our destruction. Amen!

Here are a couple things today:

Our Family Camp planned in the summer has been moved to next year. In light of economic and spiritual realities and the recovery time it will take from our present challenges, we want to keep our people's focus on their most important priorities and lessen their anxieties on a number of unknowns. We will substitute it with simple church gatherings or picnics in parks or nearby lakes, circumstances permitting, during the summer, the Lord willing. Refunds will be issued to those who have pre-registered. Sis. Jenny will be in touch with you.

I have received confirmation from the host church, Living Word Christian Church, that Youth Camp slated in June has been cancelled too.

We are indeed living in uncertain times. People's hearts are being gripped by fear. This is an amazing opportunity for the church to step in and be the voice of hope, comfort, and encouragement. Reach out to someone either via text or a phone call. Offer prayers and words of encouragement. See what you could do to help them. God bless you my brothers and sisters!