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NEWSLETTER
Monday Edition
May 14, 2012 |
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Greetings!
Sometime in the beginning of the year 2011 our church adopted a strategy outlining Gospel Life's vision in the "Journey to Divine Destiny." It was and still is the Master Plan in our dedication towards the formation of a "kingdom culture."
The strategy statement is to "create and maintain a safe and relational culture which develops, promotes and sustains the believer's desire for and pursuit of the Christ-centered lifestyle."
The question to ask ourselves is this: how are we doing in terms of forming a kingdom culture at Gospel Life Community? Are we, through the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, moving in that direction, or have we started yet?
We definitely know and see the growth in our vertical and horizontal relationships: vertical, as with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit; and horizontal, as with one another and with our families, neighbors, friends, coworkers and business partners.
Is what we know and see enough? Are we starting to feel self-sufficient and beginning to wallow in a false sense of pride at what we might construe as an accomplishment in this direction?
Let's beware because kingdom culture is not a destination. It is an ongoing experience that hones us as we continue to build relationships that help shape our beliefs, values and attitudes. The ultimate goal is the "pursuit of the Christ-centered lifestyle" and if we just pause a couple of seconds, we can tell that we are not there yet, and perhaps, we have barely started on that road.
Is criticizing, backbiting or gossiping a part of our daily exercise? Is tearing down something or someone a natural reaction on our part when what's going on isn't according to how we think things ought to be?
Our focus has got to be what a Christ-centered lifestyle is. Only then are we able to process everything in alignment with our desire to promote that Kingdom Culture, God's Kingdom, right here and right now! Deviating from that focus will take us elsewhere.
The Church Staff |
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JESUS SEMINAR
Sunday seminars have been very well attended. Thanks to all those who have been faithful in attending the Debt Eraser Seminars even on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. We realize that your busy schedules could probably ill-afford the luxury of getting away for a couple of hours to fit these meetings into your daily routine, but you are certainly appreciated for your effort and diligence in attendance.
On Friday, the topic was "The Debt Payer: Why Jesus Died for Us." We were reminded of the One-Man Principle in which one man's (Adam's) wrong act brought condemnation and death to all humanity, and the punishment was assumed and received by one innocent man (Jesus), and that because of Jesus' death, all our sins - past, present and future - are already forgiven, that we are pronounced "not guilty."
Saturday's seminar was on the "Doorway to True Life: Why Jesus is the Only Way." Biblical passages were quoted where Jesus declared He is the door and the Way. We were again reminded that there is no other name under heaven by whom we are saved, except that of Jesus. Pastor John went on to explain why we are saved by grace alone and not by anything that we can do to deserve it.
"Promise Keeper: Why We Can Trust Jesus" was yesterday's topic. We were reassured through Scripture that when we accept Jesus, we have eternal life at that instant, that we are not condemned repeatedly when we sin, that we will never perish and that the Holy Spirit is in us to guarantee the promises of Jesus. The reason we are not condemned over and over is because in God's eyes we are righteous having been covered with Christ's robe of righteousness when we accepted Him into our lives.
The final seminar weekend is coming up. Please take the time to come and listen to these truth filled messages. |
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Gospel Life mothers claim their blessings on Mother's Day. |
MOTHER'S DAY
Janice Alano called on the mothers of Gospel life, including mothers-to-be, to give tribute to them yesterday, Mother's Day, during the church service.
It has been customary on every Mother's Day for Janice to lead out in honoring the mothers in our congregation. She related first how busy a mother's schedule could be in a household with children and what one has to do many times in order to keep each one on track. It makes mothers' lives easier when there's someone (the husband) who can share the load.
She called the mothers and mothers-to-be to come forward and she offered a prayer of blessings upon them. She also asked each mother to take home with her a token symbolic key as a remembrance of what this day means for all. |
MEN'S BREAKFAST
The ladies were guests on Saturday morning at the Men's Breakfast Meeting where Mr. George Rivera, Founder and CEO of Total Resources, Inc. was speaker.
There was a good number in attendance. Ray Bautista provided music from his keyboard and his own vocal renditions. He led the crowd to sing a few songs before listening to Mr. Rivera's inspirational talk.
Mr. Rivera gave a brief account of his story as a businessman, literally from riches to rags and back to "riches" which he now uses to the glory of God. He related the changes in his life's direction once he accepted Jesus Christ. He peppered his talk with humor as he attributed success after success in his business dealings because he acknowledges God as the owner of his business.
Total Resources, Inc. is the nation's number one manufacturer of first aid kits and emergency products. It is based locally in Walnut, CA.
Linda Santos said she and others have crystallized a plan to get started with a Women's Ministry at Gospel Life. This joint meeting with the Men's Breakfast group could be the start of such a ministry. |
Monthly Fellowship Asia Buffet at Gale Ave. and Fullerton Road is the venue of our monthly fellowship dinner. For this month only, the event will be held on Sunday evening, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the holding of the Jesus Seminar from May 4 to 20, and to serve as a send-off to our Senior Pastors John and Jessie as they get ready to return to the Philippines next week. Let's have another great turn out for this fund-raising dinner. Talk to Johnny Chua (909-228-2162) for your reservations or if you have any questions about younger children or a larger group that you may want to sponsor. Net proceeds from these dinners have been appropriated for various projects in the Worship Ministry, Global Outreach, and Disaster Relief efforts of Gospel Life. As in the past, bring your friends, family members and members of your bible study groups to dinner to enjoy the food and the fellowship of believers in Christ. |
MARKETPLACE MINISTRY Sweating Outcomes
"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves." - Psalm 127:2 Coming into the Promised Land in business will change the way you and I view our work. No longer will we see getting up early and staying up late as God's way. Living in the Promised Land in work means we know that God is the source of our provision and that our work is an act of worship to Him. Provision is a by-product, not an end in itself. Work is no longer something that must be sweated and toiled upon to make ends meet. "Could this really be true?" you might be saying. God has made it clear that obedience is the assurance of provision. Whenever we go beyond the normal workday due to fear of non-provision, we are operating in unbelief. We are saying that it is up to us to make things happen. Sure, there are times when we work longer hours due to a deadline, but we must be sure the motive is not out of fear of loss or fear of non-provision. If we are obedient to what God has called us to, He will provide our every need. This can be a hard lesson for goal-oriented workplace believers. I recall coming into this understanding. I had been a workaholic. Long hours were common. Then God shook up my world and I was challenged by a friend to examine my motives for working long hours. I realized the source of those long hours was fear. Once I came into this understanding, I refused to work long hours even though the natural man would tell me I'd never make things happen if I worked a normal work week. Again, this reasoning is based on a lack of faith. If we are obedient to what God has called each of us to, we will not lack. At times it may be less than what we might like; at other times it may be more than we deserve. These are God's ways. The Bible tells us to come out of Babylon. Babylon is a system of work and philosophy that is contrary to God's ways. Are you operating in any aspect of work from a Babylonian value system? Ask the Lord to reveal this to you. Begin to walk in the freedom He has given us in our work life.
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.) |
MAILING ADDRESS: 436 Crestwood Lane  Walnut, CA 91789 |
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"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine, let it shine, let it shine..."
God that sweet little tune is running through my mind this morning. I sang that as a child. And today, I really do want to let the light of Christ shine through me wherever I go--at home, work, and out and about. Thank You for letting me exude your love to the world around me. May I be a bright encouragement to all I meet and all who see me. May the words out of my mouth glorify You and say whatever it is YOU know the hearer needs to hear.
Thank You, God, for giving me light and life through Jesus my Savior, in whose name I pray, amen. |
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