Mandarin Baptist Church

All throughout scripture we see that God’s methods and His timing point to His strength not ours. No matter what we face, or how long we wait, we also see that God always fulfills His promises. Believers should then respond in faith when God calls us to be a part in His redemptive plans. As people anticipating the impossible let us live in a posture of faith and submission.

 The ‘prophetic perfect’ promise of Isaiah was a steadfast truth for the people of Israel for 750 years. There is a posture of faith in hope, in the midst of all that life brings, ‘look up’. These promises from Isaiah are anchors. May you live in the prophetic perfect posture, stirred in unending promises of our God in Christ. 

In Hebrews it tells us that we should be thankful because we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. So while circumstances are tough and we may feel we are surrounded by struggle and sorrow, we should remember that what God is doing is a far greater story that we might not yet see. In the midst of the storms, trials, and chaos we should pause and thank Jesus for who He is and what He is do...

Is Jesus an experiential reality of our faith, our tradition, our family or is He simply a historical study? We see Paul asking God not for assistance, but for the Spirit to completely take over. In our own lives we should be willing to give up our control and see the Spirit fully take over. We are a people of revelation and mystery. Let us stoke the fire of what God is doing.

Our posture throughout life should be one that demonstrates and helps increase faith in the power of God. Whatever situation, or 'cell' that you find yourself in is an opportunity to reveal God's story. Don't let the story stop. You cannot experience the resurrection apart from the crucifixion.

How do we orient our lives around the living Christ and define our identity in who we are in Him? Jesus is wisdom from God for us. The only thing we can boast in, is in the Lord.

The church is a community of Jesus-followers who are becoming perfectly one. We should be asking ourselves if we are surrounded by a group of people who are orienting their life toward the things of Christ and living that out in this world. The story upon which we take our stand; by which we are being saved; of which we hold fast, is the story of Jesus crucified, Jesus resurrected. Nothing and no...

As we begin this journey through the first letter to the Corinthian church, we see Paul approaching this church with love rather than pointed fingers. Eventually he will address their struggles, inward fighting, and sinful lifestyles but something to take note of is how he is calling out what's within them, and how God sees them. Like Christ does with us, he sees past our sin and guilt, and b...

There is a beautiful letter to the Church at Corinth written by Paul. We see as we read, that he loves the people who make up this church and longs that they live with Christ as their center. As those that he loves stumble and struggle on this journey called life, they find themselves surrounded by an abundance of struggles, many by their own poor choice in path taken. Paul does what a loving lead...

One of the many tragedies of sin is the fractured friendship between God and man. But the beauty of the Gospel message is Jesus steps into our mess and is Himself the way for true and real friendship with God. He then invites us into His work of reconciliation, ministering to the broken world around us.

The picture we see of Jesus is one whose love for his people causes him to run toward the broken, desperate, sin-stained, guilty. He steps into the darkness and says there is so much more I have in store for you. Dane Ortlund said, "The intercession of Christ is his heart connecting our hearts to the Father's heart."

Dane Ortlund said "It's impossible for the affectionate heart of Christ to be over celebrated, made too much of, exaggerated. It cannot be plumbed. But, we should surely give great effort." When you look at the life of Christ, you will see the way He lives truly proves His heart. His heart, is one full of compassion that moves toward the ones in need. Do you know who you're tal...

In Matthew chapter 11, Jesus gives us a glimpse of his heart as he calls himself 'gentle and lowly'. Unfortunately people often overlook the very heart of Christ as they emphasize other characteristics. But this is who HE says he is. The next question we need to ask ourselves, is 'who do we say that he is'. When we answer that question correctly, we will be able to look over ou...

Do you wonder about what God has already completed in your current circumstance that we don't yet see? We shall anchor our souls in truths of God. Let us put what we do know about God above what we do not know about the days ahead.

God allows us to go to places where the weight of desperation presses against our hearts. God is drawing each of us back into the center of what is on His mind and His heart. Perhaps, we are those who breathe life into weary and dry souls.  We have experienced hopelessness and doubt so that we will speak life into those He brings us who are experiencing the same things. We are witnesses to the red...

As followers of Christ in this world we should find our delight in His Word, and our faith should be emboldened. We cannot determine our circumstances, but whatever we face we are imprisoned to hope. The only thing we have to do to drift is nothing!

Many things fight to control our lives such as custom, culture, country; but let it be truth that rules our lives. Truth is not confined solely to profound words written on fine parchment by ancient scribes, but it is bound up in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. You might go to church, be familiar with scripture and stories, but have you have a personal , life changing encounter with the Truth of...

Our actions and thought pattens reveal where our hearts are. We must be anchored in truth that is bigger than you. If we delight in the word of God, it will consume all that we are.

The only thing that you have to do to drift, is nothing. In life we must be anchored to something bigger than ourselves, and sturdy in its foundation. What are you anchored to?

More than anything else, God uses people to heal people. We have the opportunity and responsibility to be that voice of love, healing, and encouragement in peoples lives. There is never a time when encouragement isn't needed. Our Redemptive Family (6) Colossians 1.3-14 There is never a time when encouragement isn’t needed. Take in Colossians 1.3-14.  What do you learn about encouragement from...

A generous faith family gives regardless of their circumstances. They give from their hearts because God gave first. We should be eager to give, especially when we see Christ glorified, and His Kingdom advancing all around us. Our Redemptive Family (5) 2 Corinthians 8:1-9  1.How has God shown generosity to our family?  2. Why did Paul point to the Macedonian church as an example for other to follo...

Without confession, there is no culture of forgiveness; Without forgiveness, there is no confession. We know that there is nothing that can be known, revealed, exposed or confessed that has not already been covered by the life, sacrifice and victory of Jesus. As the body of Christ, we should be freely guiding others into the grace in kindness of Jesus. Our Redemptive Family (4) Ephesians 4.32; Rom...