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NEWSLETTER
Monday Edition - June 20, 2011
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Greetings!
Are you a contented person? We've read that contentment is perhaps one of the most significant disciplines a person can achieve. Some people amass huge debts while chasing their dreams only to realize that their most recent purchase provides only a fleeting and temporary fulfillment.
When our spending regularly goes ahead of our income, the inevitable consequence is debt, which arises for all sorts of reasons, and which may be difficult to manage.
In which areas of our life do we find it easiest to be content? And where are the pitfalls?
Let's pray that our satisfaction is always the by-product of our trust and confidence in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Church Staff
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TRANSFORMING SOCIETY
Our sermon topics this month revolve around the importance of our impact in transforming society as an individual and as a church group. Pastor John spoke on the "Kingdom Power" yesterday with emphasis on the fact that Jesus gives us power and authority through the indwelling Holy Spirit once we are born again.
This series will continue next Sunday as he addresses another aspect of the church as a Transformation Community.
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A CHEERFUL GIVER
More on Contentment...
The apostle Paul wrote to the young disciple Timothy: "We brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with money pains. (1 Timothy 6: 7 -10 bold print supplied)
Many times we misquote the Bible and say that "money is the root of evil" but no, it is the love of money . Let's be clear on that.
Our financial resources can truly be a source of blessing to us, and through us to others and to our church. When we realize that our money is only entrusted to us, it enables us to take control and make decisions as to how we allocate them. And when our spending decisions become spiritual decisions as well, we will not unwittingly allow our monies to "leak away" into unintended expenditures.
We can be content within as we share our blessings outside of ourselves!
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DEAD AND DON'T KNOW IT
This is a Commercial.....
To live we have to eat. Our physical bodies begin to deteriorate and ultimately die when there is no nourishment. And yet, somehow, we expect our spirituality to grow and flourish without food? Are we dead (spiritually) and don't even know it? Small group fellowships (aka bible study groups) are intended to help feed us in the spiritual realm. We help nurture our growth by becoming a part of one or more of the SGFs where we can belong to a safe and trusting relationship with one another, where we can study God's word together, where we can ask questions even when we think they are silly. No one is going to criticize you about how little you may know about the Bible, or when you ask for someone to explain a passage you don't understand. Together we develop into more mature Christians who are able to defend the reasons for our faith and our beliefs. We have several SGFs meeting at various times and places during the week. If you are interested in leading or hosting one of your own Bible Study Group, please let the church staff know and we'll help you get started.
Monday
Fellowship Hall, 7:30 p.m. - Ernie & Ruth Jordan (626) 667-7345
Alano Residence, 7:30 p.m. - Mik & Joannie Alano (626) 964-8464
Tuesday
Linda Santos' Office, 12 noon - Linda Santos (626) 622-5770
Thursday
Alcaraz Residence (Los Angeles), 7:30 p.m. - Medy & Irma Alcaraz
(323) 255-2112
Orzame Residence, 7:30 p.m. - Hansel & Natalie Orzame (626) 487-1549
Friday Linda Santos' Office, 9:30 a.m. - Linda Santos (626) 622-5770
Fellowship Hall, 7:30 p.m. - Tony & Lelit Luciano (909) 468-1406
Modular Bldg. Classroom - 7:30 p.m. - Ernie & Ruth Jordan (626) 667-7345
Pasco Residence (Glendale) - 7:30 p.m. - Ademir & Jay Pasco (818) 243-2606
Cabrera Residence - 7:30 p.m. - Tito & Vanessa Cabrera (626) 917-6422
Youth Bible Study Group - 7:00 p.m. - M. Cabrera, Jr. (626) 917-6422 There is an Intercessors' Meeting at the Fellowship Hall, 7:30 p.m., on Wednesdays. Everyone is invited to attend.
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INVITE ONE
Growth In Numbers
We have heard it said more times than we care to hear that increasing our numbers as a group of concerned and dedicated Christians is less important than our ultimate impact in the community around us.
However, as we spread our influence and expand our territory we cannot help but increase in numbers as well. Let us begin at home among our family members. Then let us go to our friends and our neighbors. Let us talk to our fellow workers, our colleagues in the business community and in our workplaces. Let us invite them to join us for church on Sundays, or into the Bible Study Group that we belong.
Have you thought about the fact that when everyone brings another one into our fellowship, our numbers will instantly be doubled?
No, we can't do that on our own. Of course, we could perhaps, but if we did they might soon fall away. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to use us as His instrument in bringing someone with us to church or to our small group, then that takes on another dimension. He will bring us people who are seeking, who are hungry, who are sincerely looking for something that they can fill the void in their lives with.
Let's allow the Holy Spirit to grow us in numbers, as well as to grow us into strong and sturdy Christians who do not choose to go with the world's flow, and who do not bend in the face of conflicting winds.
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MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
Removing Hindrances
"But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:18-19).
I was in another country and had just completed a teaching on how spiritual strongholds (2 Cor 10:4) can hinder us from fulfilling our destinies. A woman approached me at the end of the meeting and asked me if I could join her and her friend for lunch so that she could learn more. I just happened to be available, so I agreed to join them. I noticed the woman was slightly overweight and exhibited extremely high energy and was aggressive.
Before she began asking me questions I asked her to tell me about her relationship she had with her father. "Why in the world would you ask me such a question? What does that have to do with spiritual strongholds?" I pressed her for the answer to my question.
"I have an awful relationship with my father. He says I'm fat and that I'll never amount to anything." I responded gently to her statement: "Jennifer, you have a generational stronghold of rejection. You try to mask it by trying to be successful in business. Your aggressive nature is rooted in a fear of failure because you've lived your whole life trying to win the approval of your father through performance. I want you to know you are totally loved and accepted by your Heavenly Father. You can stop trying to win his favor."
Immediately, she began to weep in the middle of the restaurant. Her friend was intrigued by what I was saying. "No one has ever told me this but what you say is true." We prayed for God to destroy the stronghold of fear and rejection in her life through the blood of Jesus Christ.
She walked out of the restaurant that day with a new sense of love and acceptance.
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.)
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MAILING ADDRESS ( Please do not use our street address)436 Crestwood Lane Walnut, CA 91789 
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MEDITATION
"Dear God, I pray that you take me out of my comfort zone. I pray that you break my heart to pieces for the poor and needy so that I will be driven beyond belief to look after them like you would.
"Father, deliver me for being so self centered; for being all about me, myself and I. Overlook my frequent stupid, ridiculous, religious opinions about absolute rubbish while people that you love and cherish suffer due to my inaction and selfish, consumer attitude.
"Be merciful to me and set me free from love of money and raise me up into a person of compassion and love like you are. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
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