Sunday Worship 10am with Fellowship Afterwards

At Faith on 48th, our goal is to bring the Hope of the Gospel to the community, and to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

We believe that your best days are ahead! This is why we offer a full experience including weekly services at our church location, in-depth Bible studies via Zoom, and unique camp and picnic experiences at our very own Faith Oaks Ranch.

Faith Tabernacle Church, located at the corner of 48th Street and University Avenue, has been serving the San Diego City Heights community since 1949. 

JUNE 2025

Secrets of The Heart!

Family of God,

I greet you in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.  I am hopeful that you are continuing in your march to do the will of the Lord in spite of the many obstacles you may encounter along the path.

God’s word declares those events and situations often times as a trying (testing) of our Faith James 1:3-4.  What is most beautiful concerning these trials and temptations is; the victors are awarded the coveted crown of life for their endurance: James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Thus, the key to it, which we all have the ability to achieve is, endurance and loving Christ.

A follow-on verse which our Lord spoke to His Disciples concerning the end times highlighted: as they hear and see what was spoken stated: Matthew 24:13: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

This, family of God, brings me to the focus of this newsletter and the one thing which tugs at my Heart and that is, those who have secret hearts in the Body of Christ.  I must be very frank in this matter, it reminds me of the day we celebrated our liberation from the sentence of death, hell and the grave, through our Lord Jesus Christ. We tasted His goodness, only to transit back to some of the deeds of the old man! 

Hebrew reminds us to not lay the groundwork of repentance from dead works and faith towards God.   It should, however, challenge us to draw close to God and shelter ourselves in His love.  Speaking of faith and being a follower of Christ, we are to follow His footsteps meaning, everything of our past should remain in the past!   What destroys the gathering of the people of God more than anything else is, the things which proceeds from the heart. Matthew Chapter 15 gives us great insight of how Christ see us in real time!  Have we slipped back into the old man and become hypocrites?

Matthew 15:7-9 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Allow me to address verse 9, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. To the point, we advise not according to the word of God but by man’s derivative or man’s traditions.  Jesus called them blind leaders (The so-called religious Leaders).    

We are called to abandon our ways and put on Christ.  I will testify and admit that restraint is a hard (We are accustomed to acting out by man’s tradition and not God) thing however, once you truly decide to allow Christ to be King of your life, you’ll never want to go back to a heart filled with things unpleasing to God!

In closing, try the Lord; Psalms 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!  As we taste and find that God’s word is pleasing like honey to the soul, the heart shall then store goodness, joy, satisfaction and sweet flavors!  

This is needed in our land today!  There is too much brokenness, and pain in this life and we of the faith are called to work the impossible through Christ!  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Until then, keep pressing to the mark of your calling in Christ Jesus.  Be there not only in words, to those who are truly broken, the addict, the abused and unchurched. Become the author of good deeds and you shall be rewarded with the crown of life.  

Remember, God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you show towards His name, as you minister to the saints and do minister to others. He who began a good work in you will be able to complete it.

Come out from among them and become the servant that Christ will say on that day “well done though good and faithful servant!  

Remember me in your prayers before the Lord that I remain persuaded to preach Christ and him crucified, and that the gifts He has imparted and trusted in me, that they accomplish what He has intended, to the perfection of the Body of Christ.

I love you all.

Shalom, Baruch Hashem Adonai,

Pastor: Jimmy Smith