Calvary Temple

Judges 13 introduces the story of Samson’s birth. The Israelites once again do evil in God’s sight, leading to 40 years of oppression by the Philistines. In response, God sends an angel to a barren woman—the wife of Manoah—telling her she will have a son who will begin to deliver Israel. The angel instructs her to raise the child as a Nazirite, dedicated to God from birth, abstaining from wine and unclean food, and never cutting his hair. Manoah prays for guidance, and when the angel appears again, both parents receive instructions. The chapter ends with God fulfilling His promise—the woman gives birth to Samson, and God’s Spirit begins to stir in him.

This reminds us that even in times of spiritual decline, God’s plans are still unfolding. He can use unexpected people and circumstances to bring about deliverance. It also highlights the importance of consecration—setting our lives apart for God's purposes. Like Samson’s parents, we are called to seek God’s guidance in raising the next generation, trusting that He equips us when we ask. Today, it challenges us to live intentionally, knowing that God can do great things through lives fully surrendered to Him.

Lately, we've found ourselves pouring time and care into restoring, maintaining, and updating our church building. We can’t say for certain what we’re preparing for—only that there's a deep sense that we must. That this is a faithful act of readiness.

Interestingly, some of us are doing the same at home—repairing, reorganizing, renewing. It’s as if God is stirring hearts to get things in order, both in His house and in ours.

The Bible speaks often about God opening doors for His people. The Apostle Paul mentions several such doors—opportunities to preach, to go, to serve. But these divine doors aren’t limited to ministry in the traditional sense. Sometimes they lead us into healing, into deeper relationships, or into new callings we couldn’t have imagined.

In Revelation 3:7–8, Jesus speaks to the church in Philadelphia and says, “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” He reminds us that He alone holds the keys—that when He opens something, no power on earth can close it. That promise still stands. When God opens a door, whether it's for ministry, growth, or change, it remains open by His authority and grace.

Whatever the purpose behind this season of preparation, we believe it’s no accident. The important thing is that we are able to see the doors God opens—and be ready to walk through them in faith when the time comes.

Join us at Calvary Temple of Campbell, CA, for Sunday morning Prayer, Worship & Communion. July 6th, 2025

The comparison of these two prayers, Nehemiah 9 led by the Levites and Mattthew 6, taught by Jesus, teaches us very similar attitudes of prayer. They include the importance of our complete dependence upon God—for daily needs. They both teach us to highlight God’s faithfulness to us in times past, the need for us to confess our sin, and certainly the requirement by God for humility when we come before him. And they both show us the blessed hope we have in God to live in this world, according to His will.

In Luke 9:28–36, we read the awe-inspiring account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. In this moment, Jesus gave His disciples a powerful, visual revelation—an "illustrated sermon"—to affirm truths they had been struggling to grasp.

As they watched in wonder, Jesus’ face shone like the sun and His clothing became dazzling white. The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him, and the voice of God spoke from the cloud, declaring, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

This divine encounter was not only a revelation of Jesus’ glory—it was a profound encouragement meant to strengthen the disciples’ faith in preparation for the suffering to come. It reminded them (and reminds us) that Jesus is the radiant bridge between heaven and humanity.

In Luke 9:49, the disciples complained to Jesus that some people were casting out demons in Jesus’ name but, they weren’t closely following them, so the disciples told them to stop it. 

The disciples didn’t like their ‘new’ ways of doing things, because it wasn’t the way they were doing it.  Jesus’ response may have surprised them when he said, in essence, leave them alone.  Don’t stop them, because if they aren’t blatantly against us, meaning, “on the Jesus team,” then Jesus, and his disciples, should count them as for them—on the Jesus team! 

How meaningful for us in the body of Christ today. We see many different approaches in ministering for the Lord; different doctrines, different methods.  But is the core message the same—Jesus Christ is the risen Son of God and our soon coming King?  If so, leave them alone and let God be their judge.  It’s a hard lesson.

Today we continue to discuss our church's statement of faith and the scriptural support for our basic doctrinal positions. We also compare and contrast these statements with the Pentecostal Church of God statement of faith from which our church's statement of faith borrows.

Today we discuss our church's statement of faith and the scriptural support for our basic doctrinal positions. We also compare and contrast these statements with the Pentecostal Church of God statement of faith from which our church's statement of faith borrows.

Joshua 3 and 4 recount the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, where God stops the river’s flow to allow the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. These chapters highlight God's faithfulness, mighty hand of power, and guidance, demonstrating that He makes a way when His people step out in faith, just like the Levites had to first step into the water before God performed the miracle on their behalf.

For Christians today, this passage serves as a reminder to trust God during uncertain times and to remember His past faithfulness as a source of strength. The memorial stones set up in Joshua 4 symbolize the importance of passing down testimonies of God’s work to future generations. Thank God for the personal spiritual memorial stones that we can look back upon and about which we can teach our children! 

God’s divine purpose is not always made known to us.  It wasn’t to Abraham.  He saw only small pieces of the puzzle, but the whole scene was not revealed to him—not even in his lifetime.  How could he be the blessing to all families on the earth when he had only one kid—at 100 years old??

Yet, he didn’t see that he and his one child of promise would be directly responsible for the coming Messiah, who would surely be a blessing to all families on the earth.  And, since we are spiritual offspring of Abraham, and we believe in the Messiah, we have the same blessing as Abraham did!