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QUICK LINKS
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http://gospellifecommunity.org
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Greetings!
How can choosing the weakest position be "strength?" The Bible says that when we are weak, then we are really strong, when we willingly choose the way of the cross. That, then, becomes our strength.
"Lord, please continue to provide my every need, as only you can do. Please bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Please give me wisdom, knowledge, desire, and power to go forth and live for you to make a difference in the lives of those around me and to glorify you. Please bless my coming and my going and open my mouth to speak words of truth and love. Thank you, dear God. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."
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CONFLICT RESOLUTION
What is far better than conflict resolution? It's avoiding conflict. Most people do not want conflict, to the point they will not confront a wrong. This choice many times leads to hardship later on, as seeds of resentment grow within them for not resolving the initial wrong. It's important to address problems when they first come up no matter how uncomfortable they might be. We are counseled to speak the truth in love. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15 NIV84) When we fail to confront conflict or wrong in love, we open the door for the enemy to sow greater seeds of conflict. There may be someone in your life that you need to confront in love, to discuss a problem with, to right a perceived wrong done against you, or against someone else. Plan now to make a sincere effort to get with this person and work through the issues that divide you. This will bring rest to your spirit. The sooner you face a problem, the better your chances to avoid conflict. |
SUMMER SCHOOL
The Lion's Den School of the Supernatural will start pretty soon. Those who plan to attend will need to submit the application forms necessary prior to admission to this summer school program.
Please pick up your application form from the church foyer. There are two sets of paperwork, one on each side of the credenza at the foyer. Each set contains complementary information and forms that need to be filled out.
Website: www.thelionsdenschool.com
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ARE YOU READY?
It is always good to be ready for any kind of emergency. That's why we're promoting the need for everyone to order the Earthquake or Emergency Kits. The cost is quite affordable and very reasonable.
Our campaign to raise funds for the Worship Ministry through this program will last for barely two more weeks. Please obtain the packets for this either from your small group leader, from any of the church staff or from the church foyer this Sunday coming up, and fill in your orders in the appropriate order form (note that there are two different order forms, one from each brochure).
Please submit your orders to Pastor Joannie or to your small group leader, or to one of the church staff, by the end of this month. This will give us time to get the orders back in time for a Father's Day gift, or for any other gifts (graduation, birthday, etc.).
These emergency or earthquake kits are designed for use at home, in your office, in your cars, or for your kids' school requirements. Tell your family, friends and neighbors about it or take orders from them and list them down in your order forms. Make sure to collect the money up front as you will need it when you submit your orders. Please make any check payable to Gospel Life with a Memo "for Worship Ministry." Fifty per cent of the cost will revert to Gospel Life for our project.
So please order for yourselves, for your children and for others as well.
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THE CHRIST-CENTERED LIFESTYLE
Once a week for the next few weeks, in our Wednesday Edition of the Newsletter, we will remind you of the "components" of the Christ-Centered Lifestyle. Indeed, this was the subject of one of Pastor John's recent sermons. It is also found in the recently published Gospel Life pamphlet entitled "Strategy for Kingdom Culture Formation: Gospel Life Master Plan 2011."
There are five points to consider, and they are easy to remember:
1. Loving God
2. Loving My Family
3. Serving Humanity
4. Sharing the Good News
5. Fulfilling My Life Mission
Each week we will re-publish one of the above listed bullets for your information and to keep them fresh in your minds.
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DEVOTIONAL
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"She prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. So he told her everything ..." Judges 16:16-17 NIV)
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"Nobody ever plans to be a failure. It just comes on gradually until the point that one day we wake up and say, "What happened? This isn't living for God.""
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The biblical strongman Samson was very careless with his commitments. He made a vow, saying "God, I'm going to live for You." And to remind him of his vow to God, Samson promised to never cut his hair.
But problem is that Samson refused to take himself seriously or to take God seriously. He thought everything was a big game and so he toyed with temptation: "How close can I get to the fire and not get burned?"
We see this clearly in his relationship with Delilah (Judges16). She continually tempts Samson while asking him to tell her the secret of his great strength, And rather than fleeing temptation, Samson carelessly plays a game with Delilah, not once, but four times, and each time he compromises just a little bit more.
"How close can I get to the fire and not get burned?"
Because Samson was playing a game, he hardly noticed the step that took him from being close to the fire to actually being in the fire.
"Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair ... and so his strength left him. Then she called, `Samson, the Philistines are upon you.' He awoke from his sleep and thought `I'll go out as before and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left him." (Judges 16:19-20 NIV)
"He did not know the Lord had left him." That is one of the most tragic statements in the Bible. He was unaware of what was happening; how his lifestyle was perpetually weakening him little by little. It was a gradual process. He had assumed he would always be strong.
Nobody ever plans to be a failure. It just comes on gradually. Nobody says, "I'm going to be a drug addict" or "I want to break up my marriage" or "I think I'll destroy my health." But it starts with one little thing and builds and builds until the point that one day we wake up and say, "What happened? This isn't living for God." (In Jay Leno speak: What was he thinking?) (bold font in parentheses supplied)
What's the lesson we can learn from Samson's life? Strong people keep their commitments. They guard their commitments. They don't play games with their commitments.
Consider this: Your life is only as strong as your weakest commitment.
What are you committed to? Are you committed to the Lord? Are you committed to a church? Are you committed to your family? That's where your strength comes from.
(From connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com by Rick Warren)
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CHURCH GREETERS' SCHEDULE
May 22 - Ruby & Ding Dijamco
May 29 - Linda & Danny Santos
June 5 - Vonnie & Tito Cabrera
June 12 - Penny & Conrad Miranda
June 19 - Eunice Alinsod
June 26 - Lelit & Tony Luciano
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COMING UP
Friday, May 20, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. - LOL (Living Out Loud) Pastor L J Dijamco, at the Church Sanctuary Sunday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. - Praise and Worship Sunday, May 21, 11:00 a.m. - Good News Hour - Pastor Joannie Alano "Community of Service" |
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CHURCH STAFF
John & Jessie Tulio, Lead Ministers
Joanna Alano, Minister for Administration
Hansel Orzame, Minister for Nurture
Conrad Miranda IV, Minister for Outreach
L J Dijamco, Assistant Minister
Martin Cabrera, Jr., Coordinator for Youth Ministries
Tony Luciano, Coordinator for Media Ministries
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ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATORS Ding & Ruby Dijamco, Community Life Group A (San Gabriel Valley)
Daisy Arugay/Nestor & Myrna Aguila, Community Life Group B (LA/Glendale)
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MEDITATION
"Oh Lord, Help me to be strong and courageous. Empower, lift up, and encourage me so that I will not be terrified of any thing, any person or any circumstance. Neither let me be discouraged, for You, the Lord my God will be with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9).
"No matter what I face today, I know that You are with me and Your Holy Spirit lives within me and has sealed me unto the day of redemption. I know that the blood of Jesus has covered my sin and washed me white as snow, that I may be righteous in Him and live unto Him.
"I praise You and thank You Lord Almighty for Your strength, power, grace, mercy, and love. May You be glorified in all the earth, and through my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
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