A special focus of prayer has to be our small group fellowships.  The active number of these groups currently meeting has dwindled for some reason or another, when, in fact, it should be multiplying.

  

The groups we now have are comfortable among themselves and breaking away to form more groups hasn't happened in a while. Small groups need to stay that way: small, meaning perhaps 6 to 8 per group.  Each one in each group becomes a potential host or leader as time goes on. When was the last time you or I invited someone - a friend, a neighbor, a family member - to join our group?

  

There is also a misconception that small groups are synonymous with bible study groups, which it isn't.  Small groups can be formed for any reason: craft promotion, bird watching, hiking, volunteering in soup kitchens, or for whatever legitimate reason a group of people would like to start. There's a parenting class or group that's starting soon!

  

Small groups are the right places for growth, nurture and development of lasting friendships. They also serve as safe havens where one can learn to bare his or her soul, including matters that are challenging or requiring confidentiality. These are places where the five-fold ministries of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists and pastors are developed and exercised.

  

Let's thank the Holy Spirit for inspiring and strengthening each man, woman, young person or child to become what they are created to be.  God blesses each one with His creativity and wisdom so that he or she makes a lasting, transforming impact in the community and in the sphere of influence each one has.

  

  

This will be an office-warming/office-blessing activity and all of our congregation are asked to be present to see where we are located and where some of our ministries, classes, seminars and the like will take place.

  

But first, there will be a Core Group meeting there which begins at 2:00 p.m. There will be a small reception and some snacks will be served and then we'll all go to the church service which starts at 5:00 p.m.

It Is Not About Self-Improvement

  

The series of sermons that Pastor John started in December continues on Saturday evening at the Good News Hour.

  

The topic this time is: "The Gospel Is Not About Self-Improvement."  Messages delivered in the past five weeks have hit hard on the fact that it's all about knowing and accepting Jesus and having an intimate relationship with Him.

  

Understanding the gospel is a must for Christians, otherwise, how can we properly share it with others.  Let's all make sure that we get the total gospel theme so that others will know that we are Jesus' disciples.  

This is one reminder no one wants to miss.  Saturday, January 19, 7:30 p.m. is our Monthly Fundraising Fellowship Dinner, after the church service.

  

Dinner will be at the Mandalay Bay Seafood Restaurant (formerly the Capital Seafood Restaurant) located in Rowland Heights at Nogales St. and Gale Avenue.

  

Since most would already be in church that evening, going to the restaurant will likely not impose on you for another trip from your homes to this area, unlike what you were all used to doing when we held these dinners on the third Tuesday of each month, generally. Please let Johnny or Nellie Chua know if you'd like to bring the whole family especially the children.  Call (909) 228-2162.

  

  

"God calls all believers to the ministry of grace. The ministry of giving is given only to those who give themselves first. It is not a command, but God's partnership with us in loving.  Therefore, it is always to be voluntary.

  

"Jesus is the best example of the ministy of giving. In this ministry, God provides what He wants us to share with others.  So, we are to give proportionately, according to how much He has given us.

  

"Gifts from this ministry should be handled with care and integrity.  We should encourage each other by recollecting how this ministry has blessed us in order to bless others. 

  

"While this ministry is not to be viewed as obligatory, it requires intentionality, planning and organization. The success of the ministry of giving is dictated by the natural principle of sowing and harvesting. The ministry of grace is not giving under pressure.  Leadership should not interfere with the motivation of the believers in their giving.

  

"It is God's part, as our Senior Partner in this ministry, to supply and multiply the required resources.  By giving to meet the needs of others, we glorify God, we confess the Gospel of Christ and we experience the surpassing grace of God."

  

Your gifts and offerings are gratefully acknowledged. We may not have the church mortgage any longer as part of our ongoing expenses, but we do have other expenses  related to our local and global ministries, rental for our new offices, utilities to keep our operations going and the shared maintenance and utilities for the church facilities that we still use.

  

Re-read the quote in the last paragraph above.  Yes, God will supply whatever resources are needed when we bless others and when we bless the church with our gifts and offerings. Let the Holy Spirit tell you what your part is, then you will know what to do next.

  

*Gospel Life Community, Christian Principles of Resource Management and Investment, page 6.  March 13, 2011

"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God" (Lev 19:9-10).

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God has a special place in his heart for the poor. In the book of Isaiah we read these words:

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: 
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke? 
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh? -Isa 58:6-7

So how does God want us to care for the poor? Is it through government welfare programs, food stamps, or soup kitchens? God gives us his answer in the Old Testament story of Boaz, Ruth and Naomi. It was customary for farmers to not glean their entire fields in order to leave some of the crop for the poor to glean. This allowed the poor to come at the end of the day and work to receive their provision. This is how the widow Naomi was able to care for herself. Boaz allowed the poor in his community to come to his field at the end of the day to get the leftovers of the harvest.

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Notice that God created a partnership between the marketplace and the poor. I believe it is the marketplace that has a responsibility to the poor. By providing an opportunity to glean something from our businesses through an opportunity to work, we provide provision and dignity to the poor.

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What are the gleanings in your business? Consider how you might serve the poor. 
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(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.)

  

January 12 - Vonnie & Tito Cabrera

  

January 19 - Penny & Conrad Miranda

January 26 - Eunice Alinsod

February 2 - Lelit & Tony Luciano

February 9 - Ruby & Ding Dijamco

                                  February 16 - Linda & Danny Santos

http://gospellifecommunity.org 

gospellifecommunity@gmail.com

thelionsden.glc@gmail.com

  

Office Address:  1414 S. Azusa Ave., Suites 20-21, West Covina, CA 91791

Church Address:  18901 E. Amar Rd., Walnut, CA 91789

MAILING ADDRESS: 436 Crestwood Lane, Walnut, CA 91789

Telephone: (626) 965-4300