Domine Dirige Nos

Various pictures of the officers and the volunteers in preparing for the General Assembly.

The Official Newsletter of the MAS-AMiCUS Iligan City District Vol. 2011-0001 July 2011

“Lord Direct Us”“Lord Direct Us” Apryll Eunice Comison

Plans were enacted through God’s

intervention. Officers utilized their God-given

skills in preparing for the MAS-but God hath sup-

plied the AMiCUS Iligan City District General As-

sembly this July 17, 2011 at the Tibanga SDA Ele-

mentary School MPH, Iligan City.

Sleep, time, and even money were limited to the MAS-

AMiCUS officers need. The very goal they are looking up to is to

gather the student-missionaries in the fold of God. This event

should have been completely prepared if the theme has been

identified earliest among all the planning procedures; but,

choosing the perfect theme was the most difficult. Suggestions

were raised but all came to naught. Those did not coincide with

what it needs to implicate. That is, ―excellence in our identity in

Christ and in being identified with Christian standards and prin-

ciples.‖ It took several meetings before the theme’s derivation

from Philippians 1:9-11. Did you know that the theme, ―That Ye

May Be‖ finally fared with seven votes ? God’s amazing number.

For this school year’s general

assembly, segments of the pro-

gram have been improved. MAS

officers were able to communi-

cate with some of HCBN’s volun-

teers to hold several segments in

the event. Committees have also

checked on and performed their

tasks well. By the grace of God,

they were able to produce cus-

tomized videos, newsletters, ID’s,

etc., and not to forget about the

theme song which also was creat-

ed in a span of two weeks. To the

ADCOM, every pixel counts;

PUBCOM, every meaning counts;

IGPCOM and BUFISCOM, every

centavo counts; RELCOM,

Continued page 2...

That Ye May Be Jeremiah McCleo D. Bala

Trust, love, faith, obedience – these are just

some of the few things God has shared with the group for the past

years. The growth of the youth from physical up to spiritual as-

pects are all given by the loving grace of God. Having new things

and amazing light received are God’s wonderful providence to

his people. Yet with all of this providences, one thing bothered

us, that is, how we manifest our faith without being least in

school.

Seeing this need, we sought comfort in the scriptures

and in God’s words. Then, God replied through His words and

said, "the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail‖

Det.28:8-13.

And through this inspiration, God impressed the group

to grow more and strive for excellence in every thing. God also

provided for us a text fitted for the aim of the group for this year

which is found in Phil.1:9-12, that says , ―And this I pray, that your

love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all dis-

cernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent,

that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ,

being field with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus

Christ, to the glory and praise of God (NKJV).‖

Excel! Sure! Is what we always say, but now its time to

take this words for real .To aim for excellence, not in human per-

spective but excellence in Christ our Lord is our vision. Our God

wants us to practice faith in Him. And, as we strive to excel, it is

not through our own ability, but by faith in our Lord God Jesus

Christ. Yes! We will excel surely till He comes!

What’s inside?

Pinpoint…………………..2

From Him for Him……….2

Learning by Doing……...2

Memories………………...3

Testimonials……………..4

News Chunks…………….4

Chained to Risk………….4

That ye may approve

things that are excellent;

that ye may be sincere

and without offence till

the day of Christ .

Philippians 1:10

Learning by Doing

It is necessary to their complete education that stu-

dents be given time to do missionary work– time to be-

come acquainted with the spiritual needs of the families

in the community around them. They should not be so

loaded down with studies that they have no time to use

the knowledge that they acquired. They should be en-

couraged to make earnest missionary effort for those in

error, becoming acquainted with them, and taking to

them the truth. By working in humility, seeking wisdom

from Christ, praying and watching unto prayer, they

may give to others the knowledge that has enriched

their lives.-Counsels to Teachers, pp. 545,546.

The Lord Jesus requires that every soul who claims

to be a son or daughter of God, should not only depart

from all iniquity, but be abundant in acts of charity, self-

denial, and humility. The Lord has presented the work-

ing of a certain law of mind and action, that should warn

us in regards to our work. He says: ―Whosoever hath

not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth

to have. ―Those who do not improve upon their opportu-

nities, who do not exercise the grace that God gives

them, have less inclination to do so, and finally in a

sleepy lethargy, lose that which they once possessed.

They make no provision for the future time of need in

gaining a large experience, in obtaining an increased

knowledge of divine things, so that when trial and temp-

tation come upon them, they may be able to stand.

When persecution or temptation comes, this class lose

their courage and faith, and their foundation is swept

away, because they did not see the need of making their

foundation sure. They did not rivet their souls to the

eternal Rock.– Review and Herald, March 27, 1894. #

Continued from page 1..

every ―Word‖ counts; SHEPHECOM,every stranger

counts; FOODCOM, every head counts; MUSICOM, eve-

ry beat counts; to the MAS, every student counts; and to

the LORD, every soul counts. Amen.

GOD’s guidance earnestly sought for is among the

first virtues of the attitude of excellence. United prayer

has since then been always a faithful refuge. In this or-

ganization like any other, temper sparks are sometimes

present. Yes, officers get irritable due to exhaustion and

lack of sleep, and stress; and yet they would be recon-

ciled after being reminded of a proverb from the Bible,

leaving them laughing at themselves. Even today as we

are rising from spiritual dearth, Satan is constantly at-

tacking the church’s pillars – the youth; however, we will

not be dismayed for the LORD our GOD is with us. Have-

n’t we been commanded by Him to be strong and to be

of a good courage? Let us then face the oppressor as

Christ excellently did, that we may approve things that

are excellent in the sight of God.#

Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s

ideal for His children; Godliness, Godlikeness, is the goal to

be reached (Ed, 18).

The Movement of Adventist Students (MAS, short for MAS-AMiCUS) in

the Iligan City District is, as of today, at the stage of journeying towards the spir-

itual heights of God’s standards. This stage could have not been reached without

passing through preparatory stages that are rather tumultuous. We had to go

through those nest-tearing experiences of the past two school-years in order for

us to start flapping our wings towards the realities of Seventh-day Adventist

Christian living, especially as student-missionaries in our own campuses. We

had to learn that we would never be satisfied with scholastic achievements and

the other fleeting pleasures of the world, that there is nothing more important

than the knowledge of Truth and its very Person in the face of Jesus Christ, that

campus missions should be foremost at this stage of our lives where we have the

easiest access to the hearts of our peers, and that Christ and His missionary work

should not only be a part of our lives but instead should be our life.

Surely, the above enumerations are a rebuke to us; such a source of

struggle, such a source of real life. The above has brought us questions regarding

our individual spirituality, our individual relationship with Jesus Christ. The above

has brought us into face-to-face encounter with the reality of what it means to be a

Christian: the world must be able to identify if you are one. Character is the gold-

en treasure that should be shared into all the world: character is the glory of the

Almighty God. Only if we excel in His character, in His righteousness, in His puri-

ty, in His blamelessness, in His perfection, can we truly excel as His workers—His

workers as we claim to be. Excellence in our Seventh-day Adventist Christian

Identity—this is our highest aim, the school-year’s aim, GOD’s aim for us. Oh, that

we may be excellent as Christ is! Oh, that we may perfect our Christian charac-

ters through His transforming grace!

The goal is infinite as the Author is; and though our finite minds could

not grasp it, nor would our mortal bodies take it, our Finisher is infinitely able to

make us as able. That we may be!

For Him, From Him

Apryll Eunice Comison

Great reward awaits for those who endure. Whenever possible,

students, during school days, should engage in city mission work. But,

how can a school-pressured student manage his spare time living in this

busy city? Can it be achieved simultaneously? This question is no longer

asked by the active MAS-AMICUS members.

Activities had been arranged and approved by the board of of-

ficers, classifying it according to its purpose and necessity. From the jag-

ged cliffs and roads to a neighbor’s doorstep, student missionaries in

their little ways, through God’s Holy Spirit, shared the good news of the

gospel. Social acquaintance will never be the first priority but only

God’s; They feel blessed more than the recipients of the pamphlets. Who

knows, one might have searched for an answer to a divine-linked query

and you became the bridge—- that might cause his heart to be delighted!

Through this movement, many have testified that they were

transformed accordingly. It relayed the messages of God through the

Spirit of Prophecy which opened the minds of the simple to grasp the

holy messages revealed through prophets. Movement of Adventist Stu-

dents is verily dedicated to Him; To the only wise God our Savior be glory

and majesty, dominion and power both now and forever. Amen. #

News Chunks

NMC -wide Convention

April 8, 2011. The 20th NMC-Wide Convention

held at EMEU,Valencia City Bukidnon. North Min-

danao MAS-AMICUS districts gather to empow-

er

ARMed in Faith

Participants taught by the Holy Spirit

IGP Activated

Soya milk @ 25 php, the first ever Income

Generated Project of the Movement. Scrutinized

skinning of the soy beans made quality juice. It’s

profit will help cover future expenses.

Campus on Fire

Student for student; carrying the message to

fellow youth, with His angels. Written in it are

expository –snares of Satan which hooked a

thousand fish in a gold embossed bait. This is

done every month of the 2nd semester of 2010.

Today, this will be fused to another activity.

Attending and participating

in church strengthens an indi-

vidual’s faith to our Heavenly

father. I admire those who come

to church and have parts to ren-

der: special song, speaking,

prayer, and song leading.

Before, I lacked confidence

in God to show and offer my tal-

ents which are not of mine but

from Him. I couldn’t even say a

single word and move a heel to

volunteer for a certain part dur-

ing church services. Until I en-

countered MAS-AMiCUS, a Sev-

enth-day Adventist organization

– I had a sudden urge that God is

calling me out of my shell.

Later, with my MAS-AMiCUS

family, I finally figured that talent

should be drawn out, not for self-

applause but for our Creator;

now I thank God for calling me.

Presently, I am a member of two

singing groups: G-Clef (God’s

Chosen Ladies Evangelizing for

Faith) and SHE (Sweet Heaven’s

Echo), through which we offer

our voices to HIM. I pray that

He’ll continue to guide and bless

me with this ministry of where I

am now. - Faiza L. Abueva, 17,

MSH College, Shekinah 2011

I’ve never aspired of an-

ything else than to nurture

my spiritual growth. I used to

go to church alone since child-

hood because my elder sister,

during those times, was enjoying

the company of the world and my

mother just worries too much

regarding our financial matters

that even Saturdays are spent

finding means to meet our daily

needs. I felt like giving up be-

cause of the circumstances but

by the grace of God, He intro-

duced people that would help

me continue the faith… MAS-

AMiCUS. - Izzy J. Calunod, 16,

MSU-IIT, Serach 2010

The [Adventist] Youth of Today - Chained to Risk, Called to

Rest [ AN EXCERPT] By Karen Crystal Camilotes Lasta

"At the time of the end…many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Daniel

12:4)

The challenge of the present world to this youthful generation has been in a

great degree inclining to the combat for attention to the knowledge of science and

technology. Indeed, the wittiest students of today are seen to get way too excited at

the thought of being the next Nobel Prize Winner that they seem to forget which phase

of the matter matters the most.

And to that, we, the Adventist students, are not excused.

We work. We study. And most of the ones who've been asked had confessed

that it is to earn money, to accomplish individual goals. But that reasoning only gives

a stronger evidence for the surging untoward perception on the matter--today's in-

creasing hold for material things.

Contrary to the exhortations given in the Scriptures that go on saying, "Fix not

your eyes on what is seen but on what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18)," and "work not

for the food that perishes but for that which endures to eternal life (John 6:27)," our

contemporary confines seem to direct us to instead put our efforts to the pursuit of

such transient goals.

As evidenced, the things that are seen are then the ones usually worked for:

the food that we eat and even the water that we drink. But the air we breathe in,

which is essentially unseen, is given free. Interestingly enough, when the unseen, the

gift, the thing not worked for, is given up, the rest of the seen are sure to follow

naught.When air is taken away, it would only take about 4-7 minutes for life to cease.

But when water is taken away, 4-7 days are still left given the living soul. And when

the solid one, the food, the one most definite and tangible, is taken away, life is yet a

long way extended to a 4 to7-week survival span.

The implication? The material things which most of us work or study for are

merely things and are not the ones that matter the most. What really does matter is

the matter which may seem at first insignificant since it is unseen, but is the one most

essentially keeping us wholly alive. The body alone is nothing, merely of dust which to

dust also shall return. But something for which we do not need to work in order to pay

for, something very necessary other than the living necessities that are acquired when

worked for and bought--something we feel indebted to but not credited to our own ef-

forts--the air of unseen essential gases, the breathe of life, the indwelling of the Holy

Spirit, the salvation of our souls--this is given free.

...TO BE CONTINUED. IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE ARMed MAS

Testimonials...

Contact us:

mas.amicus.icd@gmail.com