Posts

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 i...
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What is your Definition of Success?

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After giving an overview of the book of Joshua, Pastor Sidney focused on chapter one. Two questions he posed remain in my mind: (1) “What is ‘success?'” and (2) “Who is your ‘God?'” Think about it: your definition of “success” can actually reveal who your “God” is.  For example, if “success” to you means being wealthy, then your pursuit of riches reveals that money is your “god.” In Joshua 1, we are reminded that true success is in knowing and obeying the Word of God (Joshua 1:8).  Joshua himself challenged the Israelites to choose whom they will serve (Joshua 24:15).  Just remember: “Our woes began when God was forced out of His central shrine and things were allowed to enter. Within the human heart things have taken over.  Men have now by nature no peace within their hearts, for God is crowned there no longer, but there in the moral dusk, stubborn and aggressive usurpers fight among themselves fo...
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Thanksgiving Love

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In answer to a lawyer’s question concerning the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus said,  “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’  This is the great and   foremost commandment.   The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). These words by our Lord Jesus remind us of what we should truly value– our relationship with God and the relationships we have with others.  This Thanksgiving, why not set aside some special time to give God thanks for who He is, what He has done and what He continues to do in your life? After time with the Lord, go and express your gratitude to others. Let us not take each other for granted. Do take time to say, “Thank you.” On that note, we thank the LORD for He is good, faithful and longsuffering. We thank Him for His grace in having saved and called us ...
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Only a Few Weeks To Live...

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“What if you only had a few weeks to live? What would you do?” This was my opening question today, a question that created a moment of deep thought among the people. In the book of Deuteronomy, we find Moses, God’s great prophet, who knows of his impending death. After decades of wandering in the wilderness, the people he had led under God is finally ready to enter the promised land, the land that he himself will not be allowed to enter.  What did Moses do in his last days? Scripture says that “Moses undertook to expound this law” (emphasis mine, meaning “all that the LORD had commanded him to give to them” (Deut. 1:3b)) Deut. 1:5. What Moses did during his last days demonstrates what was important in his life– God, His Word, and His people.  How about you? What is important to you? I pray that we will daily search the Word so that we will know, indeed, the true treasures of life.  Life is short. There is eternity to think about. Death i...
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Faithfully Coming...

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Have you ever prayed, “Thank you, Lord, for this food,” and then later complain about it? Have you ever praised God one day and then doubt Him the next? In the book of Numbers, we find the Israelites complain time and time again, doubting God and His promises, even though they had repeatedly witnessed His miracles, provision and faithfulness.  We say to ourselves, “What rebellious hearts!” But aren’t we guilty, too? How often have we found ourselves complaining about our situation? How often have we found ourselves doubting God? When was the last time you ate your food, after giving thanks, without complaining about it? This morning at Northside Harvest, God’s Word reminded us of the need to be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:18).  What a faithful God we serve; and, we thank Him today for those who, from Sunday to Sunday, have been faithfully coming… Till next time, please be ...
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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...
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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...
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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 t...
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