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Showing posts from July, 2012

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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Hosea—“A Picture of God’s Steadfast Love for Israel”

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Do you still remember the sights and sounds of your wedding day? Those days and nights of preparation culminate with those long awaited words, “I now pronounce you man and wife… you may kiss the bride.” I myself remember that day when I took Anna as my wife, especially during this past week when for the first time, I showed my daughter the fairy tale,  Cinderella . Unlike  Cinderella,  a life of “living happily ever after” does not come with marriage.  As trials and difficulties are a reality of life, we commit to loving our spouse– for better or for worse.  Nevertheless, most of us expect happiness.  If we were told for certain that our marriage will be a disaster, I believe we would either not marry or proceed in disbelief. In the book of Hosea, the Lord God commanded Hosea to marry Gomer. So far so good (at least Hosea knew exactly whom he was to marry)–right?  The problem was–Hosea was told by God prior to marriage that Gomer will be unfaithful to him. Remarkably, despite this know
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Daniel - "God's Sovereignty Over The Nations"

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The book of Daniel relates not only past but also future events.  What the book of Revelation is in the New Testament, the book of Daniel is to the Old.  From the first chapter to the last, prophecies are evident– revealed by God through His angel to Daniel. Chapters 7-12 are especially full of symbols that speak of what is yet to come. Also evident in the book of Daniel is God’s sovereignty.  He is in control, not only over the lives of individuals but also of nations.  God’s hand can be seen in the rise of Babylon, the Jews’ resulting exile, the testimony of Daniel and his three friends, (Daniel 1), Daniel’s gaining the king’s favor (Daniel 2), God’s amazing deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3), God’s humbling of king Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4) and God’s deliverance of Daniel while he served as one of the top officials in the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel 6). Familiar to most of us from the book of Daniel is the story of Daniel in the lion’s den.  This story is actua
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God Makes Things Grow

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When we arrived at the Community Center last Sunday to set up the room for worship, we found the doors locked.  It just so happened that we had 3 attendees visiting that day for the first time.  Thankfully, chairs were spotted just outside the Center and preaching from the book of Joel was heard under the open sky :).  About an hour later, the doors were opened and we had goodies with good coffee.  What seemed an unpleasant, uncomfortable situation turned out to be a memorable event — with the Lord granting a right perspective and a thankful heart. The 3 visitors last Sunday were brought by one of our regular attendees who was just recently saved.  We have been having a weekly Bible Study at her home now for about four months; and, we praise the Lord for the fruit we are seeing in her life. One of the 3 visitors came to join us for worship this morning; and, she is considering joining our weekly Bible Study!  We do pray that the Lord will draw her to commit to studying the Word with us
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2012 GARBC Conference

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We praise the LORD for the men and women who have labored to make the 2012 GARBC Conference possible. Tuesday evening of the Conference, Northside Harvest Baptist Church was received into the Association. Like the many who attended, we have been spiritually fed and encouraged. We were especially blessed by the support of our Sending Church and the presence of Pastor Ron and Mrs. Judy Shaw. At the Conference, we met fellow church planters and were reminded of God’s call for us to pray for more laborers. We were privileged to meet Chaplain John Murdoch who has been so gracious in calling us from time to time to encourage and pray with us. We also met Scott and Brooke Greening who currently labor as church planters in Illinois.  As ones who face many challenges similar to ours in seeking to reach out a diverse community, they are in our hearts and prayers. For more details about the 2012 GARBC Conference, go to www.garbc.org.  Indeed, God is good.  He has done great things!  We do praise
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