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Marilyn Tepora

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

  1. Jul 5

    Envious to Embraced

    "Psalm 73. Struggling with envy and injustice. Perspective changes everything in God's presence. Psalm 73 gives us a deeply honest look into the internal conflict of someone trying to reconcile faith with reality. The psalmist begins with a truth he knows—“Surely God is good to Israel”—but quickly admits that his own experience seems to contradict it. He sees the wicked prospering: becoming successful, carefree, and even arrogant, yet they seem untouched by consequences. Meanwhile, the righteous often face hardship, discipline, and struggle. This tension creates a crisis in our faith. But the psalmist doesn’t hide his envy—he confesses it. He admits that he almost slipped, almost abandoned his trust in God because life didn’t seem fair. This is what makes this and other psalms so relatable: it gives language to thoughts to many of us who are afraid to say out loud. Turning Point: Everything shifts in verse 17: “until I entered the sanctuary of God.” The circumstances haven’t changed—but his perspective has. In God’s presence, he begins to see beyond the surface. He realizes that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary and ultimately unstable. What once looked like success is revealed as fragile and fleeting. More importantly, he recognizes what he does have: his nearness of God. “Whom have I in heaven but you?” becomes the anchor of his soul. The comparison that once fueled envy is replaced with communion that produces contentment"

  2. Jun 22

    Heavenly Father the Good Shepherd

    Mission sharing Father's Day Blessing Sermon "Father's Day is an annual celebration dedicated to honoring fathers and father figures of all forms. This day is also spiritually significant: recognizing God as the ultimate Father, like described in Psalm 23. Psalm 23 offers one of the most tender and personal portraits of God in all of Scripture—not as a distant ruler, but as a present and attentive Shepherd. David’s words, “The Lord is my shepherd,” remind us that this relationship is deeply personal: God sees, knows, and cares for each of us. As our Shepherd, He actively guides us with intention and goodness, leading us beside still waters and along right paths so that we are not left to navigate life on our own. This Shepherd also faithfully provides and protects. “I shall not want” speaks not to having everything we desire, but to trusting that God will supply what we truly need in every season. Even in life’s darkest valleys, we are not alone—His presence is near, shifting from distant description to intimate assurance: “You are with me.” And in the end, we are given a picture of lasting security and belonging—a table prepared, a cup overflowing, and the promise of dwelling with Him always. This is the steady, lifelong faithfulness of our Shepherd. These attributes of the Good Shepherd are worthy of fathers -if not all parents- to emulate in shepherding their children. Raising children is no joke; God reassures parents He has their backs. "All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace." (Isaiah 54:13)

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To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.