On November 09, 2024, the Harvest Class members gathered at the 5th Floor Pastoral Area of The Lord’s Flock (TLF) Catholic Charismatic Community Heritage Center for their monthly Foundation Topic. The topic for Harvest 1-2-3 was “My Prayer Life” while Harvest 4 concentrated on “Core Values 8, 9 and 10, Excellence, Integrity and Membership.” The Foundation Topics aim to enrich their relationship with God and help them walk with the spirit in their Christian lives.
The gathering started with the communal praying of the Holy Rosary followed by praise and worship.
Harvest 1-2-3: MY PRAYER LIFE
Rose Baclig (Head Steward, Equip Ministry) discussed the importance of prayer. She explained that this will help them stay close to God and grow their relationship with Him; “the more they talk and spend time with God, the more they will get to know Him, and the more they will enjoy His holy presence.”
She added that Jesus is a man of prayer; as His followers, they ought to pray, too. How should they develop their prayer life?
- Find a regular time to pray every day (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- Find a place to pray that is quiet and free from distractions (Mark 1:35).
- Relax the body, mind, and heart; find a comfortable position to pray.
- Pray the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). This can be interchanged but should always start with Adoration.
- Listen to God and journal God’s message.
- Believe that they have received what they prayed for.
She encouraged the class to begin their daily prayer life and experience the goodness and greatness of God’s Holy presence in their lives. She said that prayer is more effective if they persist especially when they don’t feel like praying.
Harvest 4: Core Values # 8,9 and 10 – TITHES, EXCELLENCE AND MEMBERSHIP
Core Value 8: TITHES (giving 10% of whatever one receives)
Raymond Nobleza (Steward, Psalm Ministry) clearly explained “Tithing” as an important part of faith for those who follow God; it shows obedience and trust in God over their finances. With conviction, he shared his tithing story to encourage them to make it part of their “way of life.” Like him, they will experience the outpouring of God’s blessings without measure (Malachi 3:10).
Core Value 9: EXCELLENCE
He emphasized that every Christian must be aware that their every action, every deed, and every utterance will reflect on God, the Father. Thus, every Christian should strive for excellence to give God glory (Colossians 3:23). They can achieve this by thinking, speaking, and acting like Christ and by doing everything from the heart. Do it right and best!
“So be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48)
Core Value 10: MEMBERSHIP
Raymond began with the statement “Mold my body to value my membership within the body of Christ in the Lord’s Flock, and my response to exercise God-given gifts for the edification of the body.” He elucidated the meaning of this:
- They have been set apart and called to be part of the community of Christ.
- They are “saved to serve.” Thus, they must use the gifts they received during their baptism with the Holy Spirit to build up the Church.
- They should bloom (grow in spirit) where they were planted, i.e. in The Lord’s Flock Community.
To set realistic expectations, Raymond told the class some hard truths about the “Christian Community.”
- It is God who chooses and calls who will be members of His kingdom.
- There is no such thing as a perfect community.
- A Christian community is identified by the way they love one another.
Furthermore, the key to a blessed Community is UNITY. Satan wants nothing more than to divide the body of Christ. Thus, everyone is enjoined to fight for unity in the community and be consistently united in the vision and mission.
After the teachings, the members were grouped to have discussions on the topics. Harvest 1-2-3 shared insights about their prayer lives. On the other hand, Harvest 4 talked about their thoughts and experiences on Tithing, Excellence, and Membership.
Truly, the Foundation Topics are critical in strengthening the members’ relationship with God and guide them in their Christian journey.
To God be the Glory
SCRIBES Ministry
Written by:
Chay Arevalo (IT-Steward, Harvest)
