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NEWSLETTER April 18, 2011
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Greetings!
God knows us better than we know ourselves, that's why He guides us the way He does. From a human standpoint it's difficult to understand why He leads us through alleyways and byways that we might be unfamiliar with, but let's thank Him anyway for correcting us when we take the wrong path.
"Dear Father in Heaven, we know that You love us because You care enough to bring about or allow things to happen to stop us and redirect our priorities and our paths. When things don't turn out like we expect, it's usually because we're not doing what You want us to do or we're doing something that would not bring about the best results for us, our loved ones, or those in our circle of influence.
"We pray that You would continue to direct the work of our hands, the desires or our heart, the steps that we take, and let us turn to You in trust when You redirect our ways, because, God, we know that all things work together for the good of those who love You. We love you, Jesus, Amen."
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LEAD MINISTERS GO ON MISSION TRIP
Our lead ministers John and Jessie Tulio are on their way to the Philippines tonight to visit and help nurture the Gospel Life churches in the Philippines.
Other members of the ministry team will soon follow, including Pastor Hansel Orzame and his wife, Natalie.
One of the important things to be done on this missionary trip is the convening of a Pastors' Conference to be held at the campus of the Irawan Church in Palawan. This will be held on May 12 - 16. Pastors and lay ministers of the various Gospel Life churches in the Philippines are set to attend these meetings.
Provisions for board and lodging of the attendees will be taken care of at the church campus.
There will be ordination services conducted for the pastors while our ministry team is in the Philippines, including the one that is to be held at the Guimba, Nueva Ecija Gospel Life church.
There are like churches and church groups in Cebu and in Davao.
Let us pray for safe travel for all of them, and for the Holy Spirit to manifest His might and power in all that our ministry team will be doing.
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NEXT STEP PROGRAM
Make This Part of Your "Second Nature"
Let us not forget our Next Step Program. You will recall some months back when we've been talking about this. Basically, it is conceived as a tool to motivate our church members, and more so our guests and visitors, to progress in their relationship with Gospel Life Community.
This program envisions that guests who come to any of our services, or join our small group fellowships or Bible study groups, or attend our bridge events and other church-sponsored activities are given adequate and due attention and follow up so as to develop friendship and rapport between them and our Gospel Life fellowship.
In brief, let us always be thinking of what we need to do next in order to get our guests to come back, such as inviting them to the next Sunday meeting, or asking them to join us for the Fellowship Lunch, or even asking them if they might be interested to join your small group. Letting them know about our next "bridge event" (if there is one coming up) and asking them to join us at that event can be another "next step" in getting our guests to grow in learning about and getting more interested with us at Gospel Life.
We frequently have a number of "walk-in" guests who come to worship with us. Let us pay close attention to them and always make them feel welcome, loved and important because they, too, are God's children. And this is not the exclusive duty of our more experienced and more mature members. Our children, our youth and young adults must be reminded and trained to remember this awesome responsibility!
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NEXT FIRST SUNDAY
Sign-Up and Let Asst. Pastor LJ know
As you all know our First Sunday of the month service is unlike the regular Sunday services that we have. First Sundays are when our congregants can share testimonies, sing a song, do a skit, perform something in worship. We only ask you to please sign up on the Sign-Up Sheet at the church foyer, and/or notify assistant pastor LJ Dijamco as he is the one in charge of our next First Sunday program on May 1st.
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MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
The Skillful Worker
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. - Proverbs 22:29
The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as workplace ministers were skilled and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with God's Spirit.
Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship" (Exodus 31:1-5).
Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze in whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (see 1 Kings 7:14).
Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on - David, Nehemiah, Acquilla and Priscilla.
I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous with Christian work?
May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace)
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REMINDERS
>There is no LOL (Living Out Loud) Youth Event this coming Friday evening.
>The Lion's Den School of the Supernatural is accepting applications for this coming
summer session. Please get your application forms from the church foyer or you may
download the same from its website: www.thelionsdenschool.com .
>The Japan Disaster Relief Fund Drive is still on-going till the end of this month. Please
tell your friends, family members and neighbors about this. Make checks out to "Gospel Life" with a memo for "Japan Disaster."
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MEDITATION
"Oh God, How mighty are Your works in all the earth! We want to thank You for the times You have made Your presence felt in a mighty way. Please, prick the hearts of mankind that we might seek You with all we are and that we might experience a mighty revival among believers and a great awakening among those who have yet to believe and accept You as their God. We praise You, Lord, and we want to bless You with our lives."
Let Your love flow through us so that we can love others, too. Impart Your grace and Your peace through us, and teach us to be humble. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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http://gospellifecommunity.com
www.thelionsdenschool.com
gospellifecommunity@gmail.com
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Mailing Address:
436 Crestwood Lane
Walnut, CA 91789
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