Hello OCBC family,

I want to share two passages with you.  First, Philippians 3:20-21, “But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (NIV).  Also, Revelation 7:9-10 says, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’.” (NIV).

These verses are a beautiful image and somewhat similar to something that I witnessed last week.  On Thursday, my family and I had the honor of attending my niece’s citizenship ceremony. She was sworn in as a new American citizen, and our family was very proud of her.  I would like to share with you what happened that day.

My niece arrived early in the morning and they took her into a room to give her some instructions, and to sign official documents while we (the family) waited outside.  A couple of hours passed and then an officer invited us to go to see the ceremony.  The candidates for citizenship were there in the center of the main room, and families and relatives were around them.  At some point of the ceremony, they called the different countries that were represented in the room.  We heard  Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, Mexico, China, and others.  Then, all of the candidates stood up and made a solemn oath to love and defend their new country, followed by a video of the president of the United States welcoming the new citizens.

Then I thought about how some day that will happen to me and to every believer who trusted in the Lord Jesus as Savior.  My niece, in the small room before the ceremony, was at that point an American citizen on paper.  As Christians, we are citizens of heaven, we have our papers in order, and Jesus signed our certificate already, what a blessing!  But, one day, like my niece in the center of the room with witnesses around her, we will be in a special room with the King of Kings welcoming us to our new country, with millions of believers greeting us because we have finally arrived home.

Remember, we are in this world just as pilgrims; home is waiting for us.

In His service,

Israel

Hello OCBC family,

Let me share a passage with you, Revelation 7:15-17;  “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

John Henry Newman was born in London on Feb. 21, 1801. He was educated at Ealing, and at Trinity College, Oxford, where he graduated with honors in 1820.  He became a Fellow of Oriel in 1822 and was ordained in 1824.  In 1833, John H. Newman went to visit Catholic leaders in Italy, as he was not happy with the Church in England.  While in Italy, he contracted Sicilian fever and boarded a ship to return to England.  But during his voyage home, there was no wind and a dense fog  made the ship unable to navigate.  Restless and sick, Newman penned the words of a new hymn, “Lead, Kindly Light.”  Along with his desire for physical health, he wanted to see spiritual recovery in the Church of England.  And he wanted the ship to get moving!

Finally, the ship’s captain pointed heavenward and said, “The star is shining tonight.  If a wind rises, we can chart our course.  At night, one little star is sufficient.”  Newman took that as a divine assurance.  He later wrote that he had been looking for dazzling sunlight to guide him through his life, “but He sent me the kindly light of a star to show me the way one step at a time.”

The Lord Jesus wants to guide you every day and He might use the bright light of the sun, or a little light of a star. No matter how He guides your path, please, have the assurance that He will be with you always.

These are the word of the hymn “Lead, Kindly Light” by John Henry Newman:

"Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th' encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me; sure it still
Will lead me on.
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life."

 
In His service,

Israel