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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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We Can Only Imagine

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John wrote in Revelation 21: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true (Revelation 21:1-5 ESV). Just imagine– our world– regenerated! “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only ...
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Is Your Name in the Book of Life?

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Pastor Sidney preached today from Revelation 20:11-15 .  This passage speaks of God’s great white throne, the dead, opened books, and the book of life. The sea, death, and Hades “gave up the dead . . . and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.”  They were judged “from the things which were written in the books . . . And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” One day, each of us will stand before the presence of God.  Matthew 9:31-46 describe how “all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them . . ., as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats . . . . Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. . . . Then, He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has bee...
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"Notes" from the 2018! Sing Conference

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David testifies in Psalm 40:3 that the LORD “put a new song” in his mouth, “a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” This verse echoes so many others in Scripture that teach us why we, as believers, sing! The following link is an outline of lessons learned by Anthony Adona.  His “notes” are from the 2018 Sing Conference, which was held in Nashville, Tennessee. May this outline of what has been learned from the 2018 Sing Conference be meditated upon and practiced for the benefit of our homes and our local churches! (Thank you, Anthony!) 2018 Sing Conference Notes
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True Love?

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Revelation 18 is a reminder for believers to not be worldly, but godly. “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (18:4-5).  The “her” referred to in these verses is “Babylon.”  Here are two viewpoints: Who is the Whore of Babylon ” and “ What is the Whore of Babylon .” It is important to note in Revelation 18 the “lovers” of Babylon: (1) “the kings of the earth;” (2) “the merchants of the earth;” and (3) “every ship master and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea.”  These “lovers” weep and lament over Babylon, for “in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste.”  Significantly, although they cry over Babylon, they are noted as standing “at a distance”– that is, th...
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"The American Christian Attitude-Trap"

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In the course of our search for a book about marriage, we came across a little booklet by Rick Thomas entitled, “Help! My Marriage Has Grown Cold.” We would like to highlight an important truth that the author proclaims with clarity, which truth is found in Philippians 1:29 and 1 Peter 2:21 .  From theses verses, the apostle Paul makes clear that we are granted, “for the sake of Christ,” not only to “believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” In the words of Rick Thomas, “there are two gifts at salvation: the first is faith in Christ, and the second is personal suffering” (p.36). In other words, “suffering is part of our calling” (p.36); and the “‘good’ in Romans 8:28 , and the point of the whole passage, is that I will be changed into the image of Christ, but will not necessarily grow healthy, wealthy, and wise” (p.14). Those of us who have grown up in the American culture may have the tendency to f...
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Journey On!

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Pilgrim’s Progress – Audio Pilgrim’s Progress – Online Print Copy Believers in Christ are described as pilgrims on this earth.  In Scripture, we find that as pilgrims, believers are not to set their affections on things that are temporary, but on things that are eternal.  Also, as pilgrims, believers are to expect suffering and persecution; and, are to persevere until the end.  If you are a believer and have not yet read John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” do take the time to read or to listen to this Christian classic, links to which are provided above.  If you are not a believer but desire to get a glimpse into the Christian journey, we encourage you to read or listen today!
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Counting Blessings

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An article from familylife.com caught our attention today. Believers are aptly reminded to “hold our material possessions with an open hand” because we know “that God is our Provider.”  Indeed, it is easy to focus on what we do “not” have and forget the blessings we “do” have.  More importantly, we need to realize that we are called to seek after heavenly things, true treasures that will not rust, be taken away or destroyed. What are you seeking after? Will those things last and satisfy? As a body of believers, we do praise and thank the Lord for His provision of a church office that can allow us to further the work of the ministry.  Also, we are thankful for the continued availability of the Milpitas Community Center where we have held (and continue to hold) most of our Sunday worship services.  More importantly, we are thankful for the way the Lord has been growing us in His Word as a body, deepening our relationships and drawing us to ...
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