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DEVOTIONAL
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Give God your guilt
by Rick Warren | |
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 1 John 2:28 (NLT)
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"There is no reason in the world you have to live with guilt. God has given us a way to get rid of guilt. It's called confession." |
We all make mistakes. We all have regrets. I don't measure up to my own standard for myself, much less God's standard of perfection. So what do we do when we fall short?
I was listening to a psychologist on the radio recently. A guy called in and was pouring his heart out about how guilty he felt for things he had done wrong. He asked, "How can I get rid of my guilt?" This psychologist said: "You can't. You've got to learn to live with it." I almost shouted at the radio: "Wait a minute! Give me that guy's phone number! He doesn't have to go through life filled with guilt!"
There is no reason in the world you have to live with guilt. God has given us a way to get rid of guilt. It's called confession. God promises that when we confess, he forgives us instantly, totally, completely, freely, and continuously. If a Christian is carrying guilt around, it's because they're not taking advantage of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. Give God your guilt. Doing this, asking for pardon, is the next step in making contact with God.
God wants to forgive you. You don't have to beg for forgiveness: "God, please, pretty please with sugar on it!" You don't have to bargain: "God, if you forgive me, I will never do it again." You don't have to bribe: "God, if you'll forgive me, I promise to always read my Bible."
You simply believe you are forgiven. |
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| HOOK UP WITH A SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP | | WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Everyone should be attending a small group fellowship (SGF) at least once a week. It is a means of nurturing our spirits, feeling renewed and refurbished. It helps to reinforce the "highs" we experience in church on Sundays.
Does one physically starve when deprived of food? Yes, of course. We also starve spiritually if we are not spiritually replenished during the week.
We have several SGFs meeting during the week. Below is a list.
Mondays: Tony Luciano at the Modular Building - 909-468-1406
Eric and Joyce Torres - 626-373-7449
Tuesdays: Mik and Joannie Alano - 626-964-8464
Linda Santos' Office (at noon) - 626-622-5770
WEDNESDAYS: INTERCESSORY PRAYER - Church Modular Building
Thursdays: Medy and Irma Alcaraz (Los Angeles) - 323-355-1212
Fridays: Ademir and Kay Pasco (Glendale) - 818-243-2606
Pastor John at the Modular Building - 626-965-3240
Fred and Nita Alejandro (Los Angeles) - 213-387-0740
Tito and Vonnie Cabrera - 626-917-6422
Youth Bible Study Group: Martin Cabrera, Jr. - 626-917-6422
Most of the above groups meet at 730 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Please call the listed number should you need directions to get to the meeting place. |
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| PLANNING AHEAD | | | STRATEGIES FOR PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT
A series of meetings are scheduled on certain Saturday mornings to discuss and plan workable ways by which everyone in church, old and young, will become active participants in implementing the mission of the church in growth, service, experience and development.
Although more focus and emphasis will be directed towards the "post-modern" Generation X, the approach will be intergenerational in nature, meaning that all age groups will be contributing to the implementation of the stated goals for multiple target groups in addition to Generation X.
Several questions are going to be posed at the beginning of these meetings to address the issues important in developing such a plan. These include questions regarding how our goals are defined, the kind of culture in which these are nurtured, the context, structure and resources for the ministries and activities planned for, and how all these are evaluated for their effectiveness and productiveness.
The first Strategy Session will be held this coming Saturday, August 28, at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Subsequent sessions are set for September 11, September 25, and October 16. |
| A CHALLENGE | | | LION'S DEN GRADUATES AND EVERYONE ELSE
How do we use the things we learn about? Do we forget them and go back to our usual routine? Let's hope not!
Whenever we study and learn something new it is best to find ways and means to use whatever it is that we have learned. If we don't, we are liable to lose it, if we don't use it.
Things learned in the Lion's Den school have very practical applications. Are those who graduated recently from the seven weekends of study and training going to lay what they learned aside and not use them to their advantage and to God's glory? Yes, they will.
All the rest of us must do the same: use the resources we can lay our hands on to spread the Good News to everyone with whom we come in contact with. Even when we realize that our tools are probably inadequate, we must still have that desire to do what we can. The Bible says we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
Also, we are to help each other and join forces in encouraging one another, especially the recent Lion's Den school graduates, so that the things they learned will continue to be used in reaching out not only to our fellow members but to those outside the confines of our church.
Keep doing the "treasure hunts" on our own, even when no one asks us to.
Share the Good News.
Answer questions about why we believe what we believe!
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COMING UP
August 28 Saturday, Strategy Session 9:00 a.m.
August 29 Sunday, Board Meeting 2:00 p.m.
September 5 First Sunday
Core Group Meeting 2:00 p.m.
Announcements and other additional articles, if any, will be sent by regular e-mail when sent outside our Monday and Wednesday Editions of the Gospel Life Newsletter.
May the rest of your week be blessed.
Conrad J Miranda
associate minister for outreach |
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