The Chronicles of Northside

With this question, two things come to mind: (1) Its origin, and (2) Its authority. First, the Bible indicates that although human authors penned the sacred writings, God is the ultimate author (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).  Second, the Bible’s authority does not rest on its human authors but its divine author, God Himself (Ibid). This fact is what makes the Bible authoritative. Its authority lays on its divine origin—God. The Bible as the authoritative Word of God means that it should be our basis in all areas of life, faith and practice. In my own Christian life and pastoral ministry, it is central. It is my authority and the authority by which to God’s people because it is God’s Word. I take my calling as a minister of the gospel seriously in view of who God is and His Lordship over all.

Yes. I believe that God reveals Himself to everyone. First, God reveals Himself through creation. Psalms 19:1 says that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiworks.” Paul also made this clear in Romans 1:19-20 where he says, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Second, God revealed Himself through the eternal Word, the Son Jesus Christ, who lived among men (John 1:10, 11, 14). In John 14:9 (as in many other passages), Jesus declared that whoever has seen him has seen the Father. Third, I believe that through the Scripture, God’s word, God continues to reveal Himself to mankind. How the Bible has endured and survived countless attacks, criticisms, ridicule, is in itself a proof of its divine origin. How th...

Malachi, which means “my messenger,” is the last book that closes the Old Testament canon. The book is classified by scholars as one of the post-exilic writings along with Haggai and Zechariah. However, among the post exilic writings, Malachi was probably written on a later date between Nehemiah’s return to Persia and his sad homecoming to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11-13). Malachi records a series of disputations between God and His people, using the question and answer method (Malachi 1:2, 6, 7; 2:17; 3:7, 8, 13). In each disputation, the Lord states His case against His people who scornfully respond. Their responses seem to indicate they have forgotten their past experiences while in exile. In this book, God’s immutability, as described by the Lord (Malachi 3:6) is one of the many attributes of God revealed in Scripture. It is on this attribute that the Israelites were not annihilated as a nation (for God remembers the covenant which He had made with Abraham (Malachi 3:6; cf. Genesis 12). ...

Hello! It’s been a while we have not posted some blogs in our website. But we are here; my wife and I have had our hands full lately. Especially, when you have a 3 year old, an infant and another “one” coming… hmm…. Yes, Lord willing this November 2013 Anna will be due with another baby! Please pray for her and our coming baby for good health and safety pregnancy and delivery. Do you have any prayer request that you would like for us to pray? We love to hear from you. Please email your request to info@northsideharvest.org . The Lord bless you.

How many of us need encouragement today? As we go through the challenges and trials of life we need every ounce of encouragement. If we see the need of encouragement in our lives, are we encouraging others? “ One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement… It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word .” (William Barclay, Letter to the Hebrews ) . The remnant Jews who came home from exile faced the daunting task of rebuilding the temple. God knew how to encourage His people. He sent His prophet Zechariah to deliver one of the most encouraging messages they have received as a nation—a message of future hope and glory. Zechariah, whose name means “the LORD remembers,” was a contemp...

Have you ever started a project you have not finished? I myself remember a time when it took me over a year to finish a project that should only have taken a month. As people, we tend to rationalize and the people of Judah were no different. Returning home from exile, the remnant of Judah led by Zerubabbel and Joshua the priest, began the construction of the Temple—the most important structure in Israel’s religious life. However, because of opposition, the construction stopped. The people gave up and went on with their lives. A few years later, the LORD sent Haggai to rebuke Judah. Haggai challenged Zerubabbel and Joshua the priest to finish what they started. The people however, responded with the excuse that “it was not time” (Haggai 1:2). They obeyed twenty days later (Haggai 1:15). The LORD was faithful in encouraging His people to finish the work they were called to do. Though there was an instance when the people of Judah became discouraged (Haggai 2:1-9), the people were able to...

  God always accomplishes His purpose at the right time. During one of the crucial periods in the history of the nation of Judah, the Lord sent His prophet Zephaniah. The result was one of the greatest revivals in Biblical history. Zephaniah, whose name means “the Lord hides,” ministered to a spiritually needy people. Under the rule of ungodly and wicked kings, the nation of Judah was in desperate need of a godly leader who will bring them back to Yahweh. Zephaniah was the prophet whom God used to stir the heart of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:3-8-35:19). In addition to a prophetic message of judgment on Judah and its neighboring nations, Zephaniah urged the people to call on the Lord. In his call for them to humble themselves before Yahweh (Zephaniah 2:3), King Josiah responded. For this reason, the Lord brought blessing and revival to him and to his kingdom (2 Chronicles 34:26-28). Humility is necessary if one is to come to the Lord. The Lord lifts up the humble (James 4:10) and ...