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Showing posts from October, 2011

Jesus: The Believer’s Inheritance

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  It is fascinating to observe when people talk about inheritance, ones mind would immediately cater properties, wills, houses, jewelries, and other material things. All of which are centered on material temporal things.   In 1 Peter 1:4 , although The Apostle Peter used the term “inheritance” once in his letter, Apostle Paul on the other hand, mentioned this term in his letters several times. ( Eph_1:14 , Eph_1:18 , Eph_5:5 , Col_3:24 ,) But what is so significant about this particular emphasis of Peter? After all, he made a brief description of the inheritance (verse 4-5) a believer will obtain now that he is part of God’s family.   The term “inheritance” is not something new among Jewish ears. Going back to the OT, when God divided the promised land among the 12 tribes of Israel, every tribe received a portion of the land as their inheritance, except for the tribe of Levi…”the priestly tribe”. They were the only tribe that didn’t get one. God’s reason for doing so is interesting. Th
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What makes Nov. 1st so special?

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November 1st is a special day, and here’s Kathleen who will “tell” you all about it through song! During our worship today, Kathleen sat quietly (for a few minutes) on the first row, which was quite a feat for a toddler.  Three of the four families who regularly attend were present (not counting ourselves and my parents-in-law), and we praise the Lord! Please pray that these families will commit themselves to the Lord and decide to become members.  One of these regular attendees actually asked for a pew Bible to read during the week! The message today focused on the Holiness of God and His call to holy living. We went through the different sacrifices and offerings, making clear that man cannot approach God on man’s terms.  Man must approach God according to God’s way– and that one exclusive way is through “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Please continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord’s wisdom and guidance in this new church planting ministry.  We a
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Once upon a "Box"

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Before I begin “Once upon a Box,” let me first give a brief glimpse into this morning’s message.  In a world that would have us believe that truth is a matter of opinion, the Word of God makes clear that absolute truth exists. In Exodus 20, God Himself spoke saying, “I am the LORD” (and over and over in Scripture, we read, “there is no other”!); then, God gives His commandments. These laws actually show man’s sinfulness. Paul explains this fact to Timothy–“that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are…sinners” (I Tim.1:9ff). Paul himself testified of God’s mercy, saying “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.  Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (I Tim. 1:15-16).  Read Exodus 20 again and meditate on I Timothy 1. . . which now brings me to “Once upon a Box,” for this is a sto
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"God Can Do Anything But Fail"

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We were eating supper when our hearts were uplifted with our toddler’s rendition of “God can do anything.” Our little Kathleen has apparently learned the song from our worship service on Sundays!  Yesterday, we were 11 all in all. Before the service began, we passed out invitations to coffee drinkers at Peet’s and grocery shoppers at Safeway. We are still working on remaining documents we need but with liability insurance, we are now permitted under our Use Permit from the City of Milpitas to “go public.”  We are now planning ways on how to reach out to the community to bring worshippers to our Lord. On our own, we know we are sure to fail; but with God, we know nothing is impossible.  Saturday night, I received a call from Chaplain Dr. John Murdoch, who not only provided me with needed counsel for my Chaplaincy training but interceded for me and my family and the church work the Lord has entrusted to us. How truly encouraged I was and challenged by this godly man and others like him w
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"Going Public" Soon!

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“Going Public?” What does this mean? You’ll just have to check back when this event finally takes place (very soon, Lord willing). In the Lord, despite the trials of life, we always have cause for rejoicing. Indeed, it is through the hardships that we have the awesome opportunity to see the mighty hand of God at work! We were 11 in attendance this Sunday, with Kathleen being the only child– but that didn’t stop her from celebrating the day (She was thrilled over the “happy face” cookie she was given and she “worked” on it the whole time her Daddy was preaching)! The preaching continued on Genesis, generally on the Patriachs; and, particularly on the life of Abraham. I can best sum it up by quoting A.W. Tozer: “that before a man can seek God, God must first have sought the man….(John 6:44), and it is by this prevenient drawing that God takes from us every vestige of credit for the act of coming” (The Pursuit of God, p.11-12). Do continue to pray with us–that we might be faithful in our
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"Best Way to Lose Church Members"

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An article posted by GARBC and the Baptist Bulletin . Click on “Best Way to Lose Church Members.” You will then be able to click on the photograph, which will take you to the article.
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October Blessings

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This first Sunday of October, we were blessed with the presence of dear friends we have not seen for some time, a Christian couple who continue to be an encouragement to us. We praise the Lord for a total attendance of 14 this morning, with families who have repeatedly blessed us with their continued attendance… We were blessed even more when we heard news from Pastor Shaw of the number of visitors who came to Sunrise Valley’s worship today; and also, for 12 new NASB Bibles being given by our Sending Church family for Northside Harvest’s use! Here’s a flower offering from a sweet couple who has hundreds of kinds of roses in their home! We praise the Lord for the wonderful ways through which He provides!   Here’s a picture after the Service. The message was on Cain & Abel, the Flood and the Beginning of the Nations; specifically, the theme of man’s sinful heart and of God’s holiness which requires the judgment of sin. Indeed, in today’s world, people have chosen to forget that as
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