Pastor Louie's Shepherd's Log

GRACE

2012-01-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GRACE

(Rev 22:21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Grace. That word we all love but sometimes have a difficult time explaining. That which we need the most but have a difficult time attaining. It can change our lives and also be sustaining. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor.” You can’t earn it…it’s the free gift of God. Some explain it with an acronym: God’s Richest At Christ’s Expense. I like it spelled out like this: Justice is getting what you deserve…Mercy is not getting what you deserve…Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.

The Bible says we are saved by grace: (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. We are helpless sinners from birth and bound for eternal destruction. We have violated the law of God and stand judged for condemnation. But God saw our fallen condition and interposed. He sent Jesus His Son to die on our behalf. He was the spotless Lamb who died as our substitute. Now those who put their trust in the work Jesus did on the cross and in His resurrection will be saved by God’s grace.

The Bible says we also grow in our faith by grace. (2 Pet 3:18) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… There is that tendency in us as believers to think it’s up to us to continue on by our own merits. How wrong! Just as we are saved by grace we also grow in grace. We can’t do a thing without the Lord. How we desperately try to work for our sanctification but end up failing so pitifully. Every Christian has to learn this valuable lesson. Jesus said: …for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) We will never measure up to that perfect standard. We all fall short. Thank God we are under grace and not the law!

Grace is something that is also transferable to others. You can give to others what they don’t deserve. You can offer them that free gift of forgiveness and overlook their faults because you know God’s grace has done that for you! It sets your offender free and keeps your heart free from the hardness of bitterness and unforgiveness. (Mat 10:8)…Freely you have received, freely give. (See also Mat 18:21-35)

Grace has changed my life. I had always struggled with that condemnation the devil puts upon you that you’re not good enough. I thought if I worked harder and became more dedicated God would reward my efforts. Then the Lord taught me that everything is a free gift from Him. (Jms 1:17) It has also taken judgmentalism from my heart. I have more grace for others that I never used to have because I was holding them to a standard. Now I can just love people and accept them for who they are. Instead of elbowing them I give them more elbow room. And you know what’s funny? I then see changes in their lives! Grace…what a great way to live!!

Louie

TYPES OF ABORTION

2012-01-18T20:11:00.001-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

TYPES OF ABORTION (The anniversary of Roe vs. Wade is upon us...January 22, 1973. Warning: Graphic content)

(Lev 18:21) And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

The pagan god Molech was worshipped by heating a metal statue representing the god until it was red hot. The living infant was then placed on the outstretched hands of the statue. Drums were beaten to drown out the screams of the child until it burned to death. Molech worship was a method of infanticide to eliminate illegitimate children, minimizing the fruit of the immoral sexual conduct God had commanded against. Molech worship can be seen as an ancient version of birth control as even today many people practice birth control by abortion. Sounds horrible what these pagans did long ago. We who are so civilized today would never think of doing such a thing…or would we? Here are some of the modern methods of abortion. Space limits mentioning other forms of terminating a pregnancy (killing a baby).

SUCTION ASPIRATION: This is the most common method of abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. General or local anesthesia is given to the mother and her cervix is quickly dilated. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-edged tip) is inserted into the womb. This instrument is then connected to a vacuum machine by a transparent tube. The vacuum suction, 29 times more powerful than a household vacuum cleaner, tears the fetus and placenta into small pieces which are sucked through the tube into a bottle and discarded.

SALT POISONING (SALINE INJECTION): Used after 16 weeks (four months) when enough fluid has accumulated. A long needle injects a strong salt solution through the mother's abdomen into the baby's sac. The baby swallows this fluid and is poisoned by it. It also acts as a corrosive, burning off the outer layer of skin. It normally takes somewhat over an hour for the baby to die from this. Within 24 hours, labor will usually set in and the mother will give birth to a dead or dying baby. (There have been many cases of these babies being born alive. They are usually left unattended to die. However, a few have survived and later been adopted.)

PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION: Five steps to a partial birth abortion: 1) Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's legs with forceps. 2) The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal. 3) The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head. 4) The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the skull. 5) The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.

(Gen 9:6-7) “ Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. 7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.”

Louie

GRAY

2012-01-12T09:38:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GRAY

(Gen 13:10) And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD

One of the early things children learn is that certain colors are made from blending other colors together. Blue and yellow make green. Yellow and red make orange. Red and blue make purple. But on down the line we found out usually by mistake that black and white make gray. A touch of black accidentally got into the white and dulled it and made it more ashen. You try to mix in more white but no matter what you do it appears shadier than you would like.

In the Christian life we are called to purity and holiness (Tit 2:11-12; Heb 12:14). We start out white as snow (Isa 1:18) and we are to keep our garments pure (Rev 16:15). This is why we are to stay away from the gray. It’s those areas where we have freedom but it would be wise not to dabble because that one touch of compromise can darken the Christian’s character (1 Cor 6:12). We might tell ourselves it’s okay and it’s no big deal. Or we say other believers seem to be free to indulge so why not? But that one dab can make us drab. Then when we keep on in that concession, those additional drops of black stain and drain us.

Lot was a man who seemed to mix colors. He was Abraham’s nephew who accompanied him to Canaan (Gen 12:5). When the flocks of Abraham and Lot were too much for the land they had to separate. Abraham asked Lot to choose first. Lot’s eyes fell on the fertile land towards Sodom and Gomorrah and moved to the outskirts of town (Gen 13). Then when Sodom and Gomorrah were attacked by a coalition of nations, Lot was kidnapped and taken north where Abraham had to rescue him (Gen 14). This means by that time Lot had moved his family inside the city. This is confirmed when the angels came to rescue Lot and his family prior to God destroying the cities with fire and brimstone (Gen 19). Lot was well settled in and perhaps was even a judge in his community (Gen 19:9). His family was so comfortable that the angels had to grab their hands and make them flee (Gen 19:16). His wife so coveted her lifestyle in the city that she looked back in longing to her peril (Gen 19:26).

Do you see Lot mixing colors? He knew the Lord as we learn from 2 Peter 2:8: (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds). But he kept inching toward the world until the world sucked him in and he couldn’t get out. One touch of black here. One touch of black there. Keeping his faith but sacrificing his commitment. Gaining the world but slowly losing his family in the process. And his final end was even worse…he lived in a cave and turned to the bottle (wineskin) which made him even darker still (Gen 19:30-38).

Been caving into compromise? Ask the Lord to wash you as white as snow! (Psalm 51)

Louie

WHEN HEAVEN IS SILENT

2012-01-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHEN HEAVEN IS SILENT

(Psa 109:1) Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!

Have you ever prayed and felt like your prayers were bouncing right off the ceiling? Why is it that when you have a burden on your heart and you really want God to answer, that He doesn’t? Well, here might be a few of the reasons:

1) TIMING - In other words, God will answer but the time is not for now. I am to wait patiently and let God do it in His time. There is a greater purpose that I cannot see that God is working out. I must give Him control of my life’s schedule and know that when the answer comes it’s going to be awesome and beyond my dreams. (Hab 2:3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

2) TEACHING - God is teaching me something I need to learn. I wouldn’t learn it if I didn’t have to wait. I need to keep maturing in my faith and be more like Christ. Heaven’s delays are good for the development of my Christian character! (James 1:2-4) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. {4} But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

3) TRUSTING - If I got everything I wanted when I wanted it, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to trust God. And that’s right where I need to be! When I feel insecure in life I need to turn my situation over to the Lord and trust Him to work it out. I am His child, and times of trial cause me to rely upon Him as I should. (Psa 37:5) Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

4) TRAINING - I might have a particular sin in my life that God wants to reveal to me. Maybe I am harboring some attitude that is not glorifying to Him. Perhaps I have offended someone or did something that has brought dishonor to my Lord. When heaven is silent it makes me search my heart and see what the Holy Spirit might say. (Psa 66:18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

When heaven is silent in regard to your prayer, there is usually something else God wants to say. Let’s be open to what that might be. That way when God answers our original prayer, we’ll have a bonus, too! Isn’t the Lord good? Someone say an Amen!

Louie

BRANCH OUT

2011-12-28T21:55:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BRANCH OUT

(Zech 6:12)…“Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the LORD.

Well, here we are on top of a new year and it’s time to branch out! For many the past year held a lot of difficulty and disappointments. We tried to branch out but we kept getting trimmed! It wasn’t a time for growth but a season of pruning. We had to persevere and be patient and just keep yielding to the process. It was a time for trust. God had His ways. We couldn’t figure it out but we kept telling ourselves God loves us and all things will work together for the good! We would grow back and eventually bear fruit again. (John 15:2)…every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Now it’s time to branch out!

The term branch is messianic in nature. It says in (Isa 11:2)…There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. This is a prophecy concerning Christ. Jesus came from the stump of Jesse, King David’s father. The kingly line of David had lain dormant for 600 years until Jesus came as King and Messiah. You could say it was like a new green Branch coming from a seemingly dead stump.

Then in Zechariah 6 we see another prophecy about the Branch. This time it is foretold that the Branch will branch out and build the future millennial temple of (Eze 40-48). He will bear the glory of God (John 1:14) and sit and rule on His throne as priest and king. That’s just like our Lord, always branching out and doing new things and bringing wonderful fruit into our lives so we can worship Him!

You might find it unbelievable that soon you will branch out after all the whittling you’ve experienced in the past. But I have to defer to brother Job on this matter. You see, he was whacked down to nothing but then God restored his loses and he received double from what he had before! (Job 42) Listen to him talk about a tree that went from trimming to brimming: (Job 14:7‑9) "For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. {8} Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, {9} yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant. So just because you’ve been pruned doesn’t mean you are doomed. The Lord loves you and you’re going to grow and branch out again.

The Lord wants us to branch out into new areas. He wants to reach the world through us by the fruit we bear for Him (Gal 5:22-23; Phil 1:11). People are weary from the heat of the day and need a place to rest under the shade (Psa 121:5; Mk 4:32). Will you believe God for a year of growth and expansion? After all you’ve been through will you anticipate that this year will be one of increase and advancement? Then tell the Lord you are ready to branch out!

Louie

SANTA OR SATAN ?

2011-12-22T11:25:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

SANTA OR SATAN?

When a person receives the Lord his eyes are opened to a lot of things. This is especially true when it comes to Christmas. One of the questioned icons of Christmas is the person of Santa Claus because many feel he takes away the focus from Christ. In fact when I was a new believer I heard a man say that all you have to do is rearrange the letters in Santa and you get Satan.

The story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara, Turkey. His wealthy and devout parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas divested his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and eventually was made Bishop of Myra. Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need (often giving in secret), his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. One popular story tells of a poor man had three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home thus providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold were tossed through an open window, landing in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.

The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift-giving figures of different cultures. The saint was called Sankt Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas in Holland. In these countries Nicholas was sometimes said to ride through the sky on a horse. You can see how the legend easily morphed from St. Nicholas into Santa Claus!

Though there is much folklore surrounding Nicholas, what we do know is that he was a giver. God is a giver: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…(John 3:16). The Bible recognizes the gift of giving: …he who gives, with liberality…(Rom 12:8). And we are to give secretly, as unto the Lord and not as to man (Mat 6:1-4). Santa? Satan? Saint? Sounds like Nick was just a regular guy who loved to give to others. And that’s something we all can do. Our good works may not be legendary amongst men but God sees all and rewards openly!

Louie

GOOD GRIEF

2011-12-14T19:16:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOOD GRIEF

(Isa 53:3) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…

When it comes to a personal loss, one may wonder how a Christian is to grieve. On one side a Christian can be so rosy-eyed and believe you should never grieve. Your loved one is in heaven. You are to rejoice and be happy. On the other hand a person may sink in so much despair to unhealthy proportions and never recover to live a vital life. Is it okay for a Christian to grieve? Does it display a lack of faith? Does it negate a victorious life in Christ?

Jesus had a friend named Lazarus who passed away on the younger side. When Jesus arrived on the scene the atmosphere was fraught with various emotions. When He encountered Lazarus’ sister Martha He began talking of His resurrection and eternal life. When He met up with Lazarus’ other sister Mary He found her troubled of soul and weeping along with all the Jews around her. The Bible says “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled”. (John 11:33) The Greek word for groaned is tarasso and it means to be stirred or agitated. This disturbance was because of His conflict with the combined forces of sin, death, and Satan. It was all coming together in the face of death and it made him groan and troubled.

There will be times when the heaviness of living in a fallen world will hit us hard. It may be the loss of a loved one, a large reversal, a friend that strays from the faith, a health crisis, or any other serious problem or set of problems. You’ll feel the weight of it all and just groan in your spirit like Jesus. This does not characterize a loss of faith but a load of weight. And isn’t it usual to groan when you lift something heavy?

Sometimes we can go from one difficulty to another without a break. But we would be in good company because Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. At times like this we have to pray that mature prayer: “Lord, I pray not for lighter burdens, but a stronger back.” You grieve but it’s a GOOD GRIEF. You start to agree with Paul: (1 Thes 3:3) that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. And like David: (Psa 34:19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. You become aware that it’s okay to groan (Rom 8:23), just not to moan (Phil 2:14). That God’s grace will be sufficient (2 Cor 12:7-10). That no trial will be the end of us but the beginning of new strength in the Lord (1 Cor 10:13). That the weight of government is upon His shoulder (Isa 9:6) not ours. And that His Spirit consoles (Isa 61:3) and sorrow will not be forever (Rev 21:4). That’s what you call GOOD GRIEF!

I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chatted all the way; But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne’er a word said she; But, oh! The things I learned from her, When sorrow walked with me. -Robert Browning Hamilton

Louie

JOSEPH

2011-12-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

JOSEPH

(Luke 3:23) Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph…

We hear so much talk about Mary when it comes to the Christmas story but what about Joseph? He must have been a special man because think of it…he was chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus. Though Jesus was God remember He was also human and that human side needed shaping by the loving involvement of a father. As I read the nativity narrative I observe three things that stand out about this man Joseph:

CHARACTER – Joseph was a man of character. Think of it. What guy would put up with a girlfriend who turned up pregnant and had a wild story about it? But instead of bringing her up to the authorities he chose to put her away privately (Mat 1:18-19). What a guy. Then he leads Mary in her late-stage pregnancy down to Bethlehem (65 miles) without one single complaint (Luke 2:1-7). Whenever you see Joseph he is quietly serving in background. In fact not one word was ever recorded from his lips. He is the picture of a unobtrusive and godly man willing to serve his family and obey God’s call.

SPIRITUAL LEADER – God spoke to Joseph in dreams and he listened to God’s instructions. The Lord told him to take Mary as wife (Mat 1:20) and he did. In another dream God said to take his family and flee to Egypt (Mat 2:13-15) and he obeyed. Then God spoke in a dream to Joseph and told him to go back to the land of Israel (Mat 2:19-21) and he submitted. Then in a forth dream he was warned about going back to Judea and was led to Galilee where they settled in Nazareth (Mat 2:22-23). Think of it…Joseph was leading on behalf of Jesus and Mary! (Does that bump him up a little in status do you think?) Joseph was the spiritual leader of his family. He even led them to worship all the way to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover (Luke 2:41-42).

PROVIDER – Joseph was also the provider for his family. Though a poor man he always trusted the Lord to provide. He finds shelter for the Babe to be born (Luke 2:6-7). He takes the family to Egypt. How would the Lord provide for the trip? Oh yeah, sell the gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mat 2:11-15). When he settles the family up in Nazareth he takes up the trade of carpenter (Mark 6:3). He has many mouths to feed now as Jesus’ half-brothers are four and his sisters at least two or more (Mat 13:55). He then teaches Jesus a trade (Mark 6:3).

Whatever happened to Joseph? After the incident of losing Jesus in the company of travel when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41-52) we never see him again. Perhaps he passed away. That meant Jesus had to help His mom raise His siblings. But my personal belief is God took Joseph so that Jesus could look to His heavenly Father which would prepare Him for His ministry. So the next time you see a nativity scene don’t forget to take a little time to look at Joseph!

Louie

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

2011-11-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
(October 3, 1863)

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

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Read Psalm 100 and then make a list of all you are thankful for. Then give thanks to the Lord!

(Psalm 100) A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

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FAMILY

2011-11-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

FAMILY

(Gen 49:28) All these are the twelve tribes of Israel…And he (Jacob) blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.

Family. The source of our greatest joys and our deepest sorrows. That which fulfills us the most and that which drives us crazy. What we become poor for yet feel the richest with.

God created the family. He brought Adam and Eve together and gave them the commandment to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1-2). Families would be part of clans and clans would be part of tribes and tribes would make up the nation. Tear down the family and you have removed the foundation of the nation. (Psa 11:3) If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

Families provide love, nurture, and protection. Where else can you feel safe and just be yourself? Where else can you be encouraged and fortified against the harsh would outside? Learn unconditional love? Acquire the ability to fight and forgive? Where else can you develop your personality and bloom in your inherent giftedness? Grow in your social skills as you interact with family members in preparation for interpersonal relationships in the world? And more important have the context where you may receive Christ as your Savior and develop your moral/spiritual base for life?

Families are also a source of dysfunction. As much as we like to think about how we are related to someone important in history it is more accurate to conclude there are monkeys in our family tree. I am encouraged by a study of the book of Genesis that Abraham’s family was what we would call dysfunctional by today’s label and yet the will of God was still worked out through them even down to the Messiah! Think about how Abraham told Sarah to lie. Think about Jacob stealing his brother’s birthright. Think about Jacob’s twelve sons and what scoundrels some of them were…even selling Joseph to Egypt! Then on down to David who committed adultery and murder. Still the begots went right on down to Jesus the Messiah!

I am so glad the Lord can work through me and my family. I look at those family pictures and typically laugh. Why? Because number one I see the blessing of family and all that represents. And number two because I know that behind those smiles and poses is a fallen family just like Abraham’s of old. I then rest on the grace of God for my life and my family. We aren’t perfect. We have many flaws and failures. But God gets His will done through fallen people! (2 Cor 4:7)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

So don’t give up on your family. Get mad but then get glad. Make room for error and have a little grace. Love them and pray for them. It all starts and ends with the family when all else fades away. From cradle to coffin there is one constant…FAMILY.

Louie

CONFUSION IS NOT OF GOD

2011-11-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

CONFUSION IS NOT OF GOD

(1 Cor 14:33) For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…

Have you ever been confused, not knowing what direction to take in life? Do you lack options or are you on option overload? Is your brain weary trying to figure out what in the world God has planned for your future? Well, don’t despair, CONFUSION IS NOT OF GOD! It’s time to let the wind of the Holy Spirit blow away the clouds of confusion so you can see clearly the next step God has for you to take.

Mankind in early history thought they were so smart that they united in building a city and a tower that reached to heaven to worship the heavens. But God came down and saw what the people were doing against His rule of the earth. He then confused their language that no one would be able to understand each other. Could you imagine how as they were passing bricks to one another that all of a sudden they spoke another language? People got frustrated over the confusion. No one knew what was going on because they couldn’t communicate as before. Finally they ceased building the city and were scattered over the face of the earth (Gen 11:1-9). The name of the city was then called Babel which means confusion.

In the apostle Paul’s day the Corinthians were enjoying expressing their spiritual gifts in their services. They particularly enjoyed the gift of prophesy and speaking in tongues. But their services got out of control. People were prophesying at the same time and people didn’t know who to listen to. Others spoke in tongues without interpretation so no one would know what was being said. Everybody was left confused! Paul had to put them in order by saying that those who prophesied should speak one at a time. And those who speak in tongues should only do so if there was someone able to interpret that all may benefit and be edified.

God longs to blow away the confusion from people’s lives and replace it with His peace! If we are walking in a certain direction and it’s nothing but confusing then we must remind ourselves that CONFUSION IF NOT OF GOD. It might be time to slow down and reassess if this is the path God wants us on. It might be the right thing but we are going about it all wrong. Or it might be the wrong road altogether and God wants to redirect us because He has a better and more profitable plan for us. At any rate, I know the peace of God must rule in my heart (Col 3:15). If it doesn’t then I need to seek the Lord and really pray about the situation and be still and wait for His directing (Psa 32:8; 46:10).

This is a lesson I seem to have to relearn constantly. I can’t tell you how many times I have unwittingly landed in the country of confusion and the Lord has to redirect me to where He wants me. I might be all upset at first but that agitation I am feeling inside actually might be the nudging of the Lord. Let His peace reign and remember CONFUSION IS NOT OF GOD!

Louie

WIZARDS, WITCHES, AND THE WORD

2011-10-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WIZARDS, WITCHES, AND THE WORD

(Deu 18:10-12) There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD…

In our culture magic has always had its place and influence. Growing up I remember being exposed to magic through the media. Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Fantasia), The wizard in Wizard of Oz. Samantha in the TV series Bewitched. Nowadays there is the ever so popular Harry Potter series in books and movies. Why all this interest in magic? Is it benign and therefore no bother? Should Christians be concerned? What does the Word of God say?

When Israel was about to enter the Promised Land God warned them that they were not to dabble in magic in its various forms. He even laid out the specifics of what to avoid. He then stated that this is what the former inhabitants were into and that it was an abomination to Him. The law of Moses made sorcery a capital offense: (Exo 22:18) “You shall not permit a sorceress to live. During king Saul’s time mediums and spiritists had to operate under cover for threat of their life. Saul had to hunt one down because he needed guidance and God would not speak to Him because of his sin (1 Sam 28).
So why all the prohibitions about wizards and witches? It’s because God reserves the right to speak to and guide His people. And He does so by His Spirit and through His Word: (Isa 8:19-20) And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

It is interesting that right after God forbids His people from practicing witchcraft that there is a prophecy of Christ: (Deu 18:15) “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear. Then at the Mount of Transfiguration this verse was fulfilled: (Luke 9:35) And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” God was pointing to the fact that we are to look to His Son for the guidance we need. God has sent His Word (the written Word) and God has sent His Son (the living Word) who died and rose again. What more light or power do we need?

Power comes from three sources: God, the devil, and man. God has omnipotent power, Satan limited power, and man has finite power. Why tap into the inferior? (1 Tim 6:15) …He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords. God has all the power you need! (Acts 1:8) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…

Louie

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HALLOWEEN OR HALLELUJAH - English & Spanish

2011-10-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

HALLOWEEN OR HALLELUJAH?

(1 Th 5:5) You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Many Christians have questions regarding Halloween. Should Christians decorate their houses in this theme? Should we send our kids out trick-or-treating? Wow, what a loaded question! But let me give you some things to think about:

- Each Christian must make their own decision on how to celebrate any festive day whether it be Halloween, Christmas, Easter, etc. And we shouldn’t judge each other on this decision. Listen to the apostle Paul on this: One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. (Rom 14:5)

- We must ask ourselves, “Does it glorify God?” Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.(1 Cor 10:31)

- In regards to Halloween, we must keep in mind the scriptural prohibition of any kind of practice (and I might add symbolism) of witchcraft. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

- The Bible says we are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Jesus is the Light and we are to shine His glory. We are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of the light. (Romans 13:12)

- Remember we have the Holy Spirit, not the unholy spirit represented in symbols of a devil, a witch, or a ghost. True power is from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and we don’t need to be tapping into or even flirting with the power of darkness.

- Christians are into the theme of life, not death. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

I hope this helps you to think along the lines of a transformed mind (Romans 12:2). Be led by His Spirit in all you do for yourself and for your children. Ask God for wisdom in all your decisions in regards to your family celebrations and plans. And remember, you are a child of the light!

Louie

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Del Pastor a Las Ovejas

(1 Tess 5:5) porque todos vosotros sois hijos de luz e hijos del día. No somos de la noche ni de las tinieblas.

Muchos cristianos tienen dudas con relación al Halloween. ¿Pueden los cristianos decorar sus casas en esta época? ¿Pueden mandar a sus hijos a pedir dulces? Wow, ¡son preguntas difíciles! Pero dejame darte algunas cosas para meditar:

- Cada cristiano debe tomar sus propias decisiones sobre como celebrar cualquier día festivo, ya sea halloween, Navidad, Pascua, etc. Y no debemos juzgarnos unos a otros en esta decisión. Escucha lo que el apóstol Pablo dijo sobre esto: "Uno juzga que un día es superior a otro, otro juzga iguales todos los días. Cada cual esté plenamente convencido según su propio sentir." (Romanos 14:5)

- Debemos preguntarnos, “¿Glorifica esto a Dios?” Entonces, ya sea que comáis, que bebáis, o que hagáis cualquiera otra cosa, hacedlo todo para la gloria de Dios. (1 Corintios 10:31)

- En cuanto al Halloween, debemos tener en mente las prohibiciones bíblicas en la práctica de (y debo agregar símbolos) de la brujería. (Deuteronomio 18:9-14)

- La Biblia dice que somos hijos de la luz y del día. No somos de las tinieblas o de la noche. Jesús es la Luz y nosotros debemos brillar con Su gloria. Debemos dejar las obras de las tinieblas y ponernos la armadura de la luz. (Romanos 13:12)

- Recuerda tque tenemos al Espíritu Santo, no el espíritu impío representado en los símbolos del diablo, una bruja, o un fantasma. El verdadero poder viene del Espíritu Santo (Hechos 1:8) y no necesitamos estar jugando ni coqueteando con el poder de las tinieblas.

-Los cristianos representan la vida, no la muerte. "Porque la paga del pecado es muerte, pero la dádiva de Dios es vida eterna en Cristo Jesús Señor Nuestro" (Romanos 6:23)

Espero que esto te ayude a pensar como debe hacerlo una mente transformada (Romanos 12:2). Se guiado por Su Espíritu, por bien tuyo y el de tus hijos. Pide sabiduría a Dios en todas tus decisiones en cuanto a las celebraciones y planes de familia. y recuerda, ¡eres un hijo de a luz!

Luis

Translation by Maura Cathey (Gracias Maura!)

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THE GIFT OF HELPS

2011-10-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE GIFT OF HELPS

(1 Cor 12:28) And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Have you ever wondered what you spiritual gift was and just never could figure it out? Not one thing came to your mind so you finally resigned yourself to just loving Jesus and helping out wherever you could. Others seemed to know what their gifts were but that was never a luxury for you. You just said the prayer, “Use me, Lord” and went on with your life. Guess what? You probably have the gift of helps!

The gift of helps in the Bible means to lay hold of something and to provide relief or aid. Those with this gift love to serve behind the scenes and become nervous when put out in front of people. They prefer to assist instead of being in charge. They enjoy freeing up others to do what God has called them to do. They would rather take orders than to give orders. They love to give credit and never take credit. This gift is usually accompanied with an attitude of humility and sacrifice and going the extra mile. These people tend to demonstrate a servant attitude, loyalty, attention to detail, and responsiveness to the initiatives of others.

Behind every leader are those with the gift of helps. Leaders are usually overwhelmed by their workload and are very grateful for assistants in the work. They are an answer to prayer! (Mat 9:37-38) Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

In Romans 16 the apostle Paul mentions thirty-five persons by name. Most of these individuals are not named anywhere else in the New Testament. They are the nobodies of this world and they represent the vast majority of the population. But the humble are very important to God. The world’s zeros are in reality God’s heroes! Many of these mentioned by Paul quietly served in the background. Here’s just two: (Rom 16:12) Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord… Have you ever heard of Tryphena and Tryphosa? Sounds like they liked to TRY anything in serving the Lord! Just think of it…they silently assisted behind the scenes but God recorded their names for all of eternity!

I can’t tell you how many times someone has come up to me and said, “Pastor Louie, I don’t really know what my spiritual gift is or what needs to be done around the church. But if you need any help at any time, I am here for you so please let me know.” I just chuckle inside because I recognize the gift of helps in this person! And then I thank God because I know I could not do what I do if it wasn’t for many with this beautiful gift.
“Lord, thank You for those with the gift of helps. Let them know how appreciated they are!”

Louie

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISM

2011-10-07T15:31:00.001-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISM

In 1844 an itinerant preacher named William Miller predicted the world was to end with the Second Coming (advent) of Christ. Soon the “adventist” movement was born and grew rapidly. But Christ did not appear in 1844 and this resulted in what was called the “Great Disappointment.” But one group insisted the date of their original prediction had been correct and that what had really happened was Christ at that time entered into the Holy of Holies in the Heavenly Sanctuary and began His “Investigative Judgment.” By 1846 the group had adopted the view that the Saturday Sabbath must be observed by Christians.

Seventh Day Adventist early leaders were Joseph Bates, James White, and Ellen G. White. Ellen White came to occupy a particularly central role as her many visions and spiritual leadership convinced her fellow Adventists that she possessed the gift of prophecy. Today the church has a worldwide baptized membership of over 16 million people. It has a missionary presence in over 200 countries and operates numerous schools, hospitals and publishing houses worldwide.

In the past evangelicalism has had a hard time defining Seventh Day Adventism (SDA) because they appear to be both orthodox and heterodox (departure from accepted beliefs) in doctrine. Their orthodoxy includes: Inspiration of the Bible; The Trinity; Deity of Christ; Jesus' sacrifice was vicarious; Jesus rose physically; the literal, visible return of Christ. Some of their main heterodoxy teachings includes:

THE SABBATH: The SDA’s teach that the Sabbath should be observed on the seventh day of the week, specifically, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Refutation: Jesus fulfilled the law and our rest is now in the finished work of Christ on the cross. (Mat 11:28) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (See also Heb 3-4)

HEALTH LAWS: Adventists recommend vegetarianism and expect adherence to the kosher laws in Leviticus 11. Refutation: (Col 2:16-17) So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. (See also Acts 10-11; Romans 14)

SOUL SLEEP: Soul sleep is the teaching that when a person dies, his soul "sleeps" in an unconscious state until the time of the future resurrection. Refutation: (2 Cor 5:8)…to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (See also Luke 23:43; Phil 1:23)

On a personal note I have had wonderful fellowship with some SDA’s. For five years our church rented from a local SDA church and I had cherished times in Christ with the pastor. My only concern is that each SDA member realize we are under the grace of Christ and not the law! (John 1:17) …the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Louie

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

2011-09-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

(2 Cor 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

It is an awesome thing to go before a judge in a court of law. Whether it’s for a traffic violation or a major offense the atmosphere is intimidating knowing the judge can make a determination that will affect your life. But did you know that as believers in the Lord we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

Now you might say that you’re already saved and that you won’t be judged by the Lord because Jesus took your judgment for sin on the cross. You are correct on that. The redeemed of the Lord will never face the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15). Only the unsaved will face that judgment because they never repented of their sins and put their trust in the Lord and what He did in His death and resurrection. (John 3:16)

But there is a judgment we will face as Christians. The Word of God says we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. So what is that judgment in particular? First we must look at the word “judgment seat”. It is from the Greek word bema. It was the elevated place of judgment in a city where the accused had to stand before. Jesus appeared before Pilate at a bema seat (John 19:13) and Paul stood before king Festus before a bema seat (Acts 25:6). In the city of Corinth, a stone platform was constructed to support the bema seat of the local officials. The seat was used to give out awards to athletes for their competitive performances (usually a crown wreath of leaves), but also to address legal charges brought against individuals. This is where Paul was brought before Gallio, who was the proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12).

So yes, the Christian will be judged by Christ. But this judgment is not for salvation but evaluation. Each and every one of us will spend time with Christ after the rapture to evaluate what we did (or didn’t do) in our relation to the Lord while on this earth. Rewards will allotted for the good things done and there will also be a reproving of the bad things done.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 speaks of building on the foundation of Christ with materials that are enduring (gold, silver, precious stones) and not with worthless materials (wood, hay, straw). It will all go under the fire of judgment and will either stand the test or will be destroyed. (1 Cor 3:14-15) If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Are you ready to stand before the Lord right now and give an account of how you lived your life for Christ? Did you live for the Lord or did you live for self? Make every moment count for the Jesus and you will hear “well done, good and faithful servant!” (Mat 25:21; Rev 22:12)

Louie

REDEDICATION

2011-09-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

REDEDICATION

(Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

You hear so much from preachers and evangelists about the need for Christians to rededicate their life to the Lord after they have strayed. But if you think about it, rededication is something we must do every day! Paul said to present your body a living sacrifice to the Lord. It is an ongoing exhortation because as someone has said…the only problem with “living” sacrifices is that they have a tendency to crawl off the altar!

It is so easy to drift away from the Lord: (Heb 2:1) Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Have you ever been in the water at the beach enjoying yourself when you finally look at the sand and find you drifted far away from your beach towel? That’s how it is in our relationship with the Lord. Little by little we drift away from our closeness with Him because we get caught up in a sea of details and lose our focus on Christ!

I find that every morning I must present myself to the Lord as a living sacrifice. I can’t rely upon yesterday’s blessings! (Phil 3:13-14) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, {14} I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Today is a new day and I must look to the Lord for His mercies and faithfulness: (Lam 3:22-23) Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

That Bible study I had last night? That was good but what about today? My devotions were so sweet yesterday but I can’t live on that past meal. Today I need nutrition. If I don’t crack open that Bible in the present tense then I sure will be tense presently!: (Pro 19:27) Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

I want to be close to the Lord. (James 4:8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you… But when you are close to somebody that means you are communicating with that person frequently. You always feel out of touch with someone if you haven’t talked with them in a while. Have we prayed today? Have we told the Lord we love Him? Have we given Him our concerns or are we allowing the worries of the day to crowd out our relationship with the Lord? (Mark 4:19) and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (See Luke 9:23; 1 Cor 15:31)

Rededication is not just for those who have walked away. Rededication is for me today!

Louie

WHY SO MANY DENOMINATIONS?

2011-09-15T11:22:00.001-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHY SO MANY DENOMINATIONS?

It is very common for those who are outside the household of faith to comment negatively about all the Christian denominations that exist. Perhaps the feeling is that they appear to be splinter groups working against each other and that they should be working in unity. Even believers can be confused on all the differences in Christendom and wonder how did it all get this way to begin with?

We know from the beginning there was one church. Jesus had his twelve apostles and the early church was all one in the faith (see Acts). Then as time went on the apostles died and this catholic (universal) church began to develop differences. The big divide happened in the eleventh century when the church split along doctrinal, theological, linguistic, political, and geographical lines. This fundamental breach has never been healed between East and West… Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic. As time went on the church needed reforming and the Protestant Reformation began headed by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others. Later on the Protestants splintered into various groups according to doctrine and practice issues.

The bad part about all the various denominations is that too often there is a lack of unity and distrust of one another. Jesus prayed that his followers would always be one which would impact the world: (John 17:21) that they all may be one…that the world may believe that You sent Me. It must grieve the Lord to see His church divided and struggling to maintain its witness in an ungodly world that needs redemption through Him.

On the upside of multi-denominationalism is the variety it provides for different people. Not everyone is the same in their make-up. People will be attracted to a certain church because it’s a “fit.” They identify with the constitution of the church body and the way they worship. Some are attracted to the liturgical church. Others like a more casual approach. Some want more emotion and some want it more intellectual. Kind of like deciding at lunchtime what you are in the mood for. Down the street are many food choices. Instead of seeing all these offers as bad competition you actually see it as wonderful variety you can benefit from.

Yes, churches split over the dumbest reasons like the color choice of the sanctuary carpet, etc. But what if your church went liberal and threw out the Trinity and wouldn’t budge after they were challenged by you and a constituency of others? You would probably go across town and begin another church that is sound in doctrine. So it’s bad what happened but God can still use it for good. (See Acts 15 where Paul and Barnabas split over the John Mark issue)

Let us strive for unity, celebrate diversity, and remember the love that binds us together in Christ! (read 1 Corinthians 12-13). “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

Louie

9-11 ANNIVERSARY

2011-09-11T07:09:00.001-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

9-11 ANNIVERSARY

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

It’s almost been a year since the terrorists struck America on 9-11-2001. Who will ever forget? Many friends and loved ones perished and think of the lives and families that will be changed forever. We’ve been picking up the pieces and trying to make sense of it all ever since. We’ve been hunting down terrorists all across this planet, pursuing them from their enclaves to their caves. We’ve been tightening security at the airports and public places. Ground zero is free from debris but forever it will be a memorial of lives lost but not forgotten, of the brave who risked all, and of the resolve of America to move on in spite of adversity.

Now here’s a question to ponder as we approach the first anniversary of 9-11. Where is our resolve to glorify God in it all? Do you remember how our churches were full after the 9-11 attacks? How people were reaching out to the Lord for answers to this national crisis? Pastors and Christian leaders were speaking the Lord’s comfort and declaring the soon return of Christ. People were returning to the Lord and pressing in as never before. But eventually we saw a cooling off and things quickly got back to “normal”. This has been discouraging to us as Christians! But we’re not giving up on America! We can’t give up on our country and the people that the Lord loves and died for. We have to keep holding out the answer for America . . . which is Jesus Christ! The Lord is there for people when they need Him and we have to be there for people when they’re ready to really give their lives to Christ. God is patient and will hold out to the end. Let’s keep praying for America and believing God for a great move of His Spirit in these last days before Jesus returns and takes us home!

Louie

CHRIST IN THE TABERNACLE

2011-09-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

CHRIST IN THE TABERNACLE

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Let’s study the seven pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle and see how they are a prophetic picture of Christ in His person and work.

BRAZEN ALTAR (Exo 27:1-8) - This is where the animals were sacrificed for the sins of the people and the blood would atone for the people. It was made of bronze which always speaks of judgment. Significance in Christ...Jesus took the judgment for our sins on the cross. (2 Cor 5:21) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…

BRONZE LAVER (Exo 30:17-21) - After the priest would sacrifice they would need to clean up with water before they could enter the Holy Place. Significance in Christ...Jesus washes us when we are born again and regenerated through the new birth. (Tit 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,... (See also John 15:3; Eph 5:26)

LAMPSTAND (Exo 25:31-40) - When the priests would enter the Holy Place they would see the golden lampstand off to the left. This would light up the rest of the room for the priest to attend to his duties. Significance in Christ...Jesus gives illumination to mankind so all may see the way of salvation and walk in His light. (John 8:12) … “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (See also Mat 5:14)

TABLE OF SHOWBREAD (Exo 25:23-30) - Every seven days the priests would change out the twelve loaves of bread that represented the twelve tribes of Israel. Significance in Christ...Jesus is the bread of life. And as we take Him in to our lives we will have eternal life and the strength to live for Him on a daily basis. (John 6:35) And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

ALTAR OF INCENSE (Exo 30:1-10) - The priests would offer incense on this altar in the morning and evening so it would burn perpetually before the Lord. Significance in Christ...Jesus acts as an advocate on our behalf to the Father stating that we are redeemed through His blood and fit for a relationship with a holy God. (Heb 7:25) Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

ARK OF THE COVENANT (Exo 25:10-22) - In the Holy of holies was the box that held the Ten Commandments. The lid of the ark was called the MERCY SEAT. Once a year the priest would enter the Holy of holies on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16) and apply the blood on the mercy seat to atone for the sins of Israel. Significance in Christ...God’s righteous anger against sin has been satisfied and the sinner who trusts Christ for salvation is now justified before a righteous God. (1 John 4:10)…He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Louie

HAPPY LABOR DAY

2011-09-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

LABOR DAY

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Over the years, it has developed from a purely labor union celebration into a general "last fling of summer" festival. School is starting and fall is around the corner. Everyone loves the day off enjoying BBQ, beach, or baseball and in a general sense feels honored for their hard work.

But is your labor feeling more like toil and drudgery? Do you feel more like a slave than a happy worker? Do you work hard and feel no one appreciates what you do? Then take heart because God sees how hard you are working and values your labor of love! Be encouraged through these words of scripture:

(Heb 6:10) For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love . . .

(1 Cor 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

How can we find new energies and fresh inspiration for life’s tasks?

(Psa 127:1) Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it . . .

(Col 1:29) To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

(Mat 11:28-30) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

And remember that the work of salvation is free and you don’t have to work for it!

(John 19:30) . . . Jesus . . . said, "It is finished!" (The work has been done on the cross)

(Eph 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast.

So work hard but at the same time rest in the Lord and enjoy the work of your hands!

(Eccl 2:24) Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

Louie

THE GLORY DAYS

2011-08-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE GLORY DAYS

(Eccl 7:10) Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

Bruce Springsteen has a song entitled “Glory Days” where he describes bumping into once popular school friends who were longing for the former good old days. These were the light-hearted times when they were in their prime and the world was at their feet. It’s what we call today the “rear-view mirror syndrome” and it’s what Job was struggling with. But is that where we should have our focus? It’s time to put away the yearbook and get out the notebook because God wants to fill our future with good days to come. These are the new GLORY DAYS!

Job was looking back to better days (Job 29:1-6). A wave of sentimentality came over him and he told his friends how great things used to be. He felt close to God. His family had that togetherness. He was respected in the community and people sought out his counsel. He had means and was able to help the less fortunate in their time of need. He had security and the future looked bright and the only direction in his life was forward.

We can all look back to happy times in our lives. If you really think about it you can select certain periods in your memory where you felt joyful and content. You were in your prime and things were just fine. But I believe that even in a world of strife and woe, God gives us happy times in life. (Psa 128:2) When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. (Gen 30:13; Deu 33:29; Psa 127:5; Psa 144:15; Acts 26:2)

In chapter 30 Job goes on to compare his present circumstances with his former glory days and he laments. He said even his servant’s children mock him and his plight. People abhor him and even spit on him. He intimated that his best days were over and he had been placed on the shelf as an item no longer useful. All he felt was his present pain. He cries out to God but receives no answer. He felt this was all unfair after he had done so much good in life. He ended by saying basically that his musical instrument was now accustomed to playing sad songs. (Judg 6:12-13; Ezra 3:10-12)

Did Job ever get his glory days back? The answer is “no” and “yes.” He couldn’t relive his old glory days but neither was he supposed to. God had new glory days ahead for Job. (Job 42:10) And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. We too are not to go back and try to relive the former glory days. We can’t go back, we can only go forward. And because of God’s grace in our lives we can overcome our current struggles and enter our new glory days that will make our former glory days pale in comparison! (2 Sam 7:19; 2 Cor 3:7-11; 1 Cor 2:9) Because of Jesus…these are the good ole days…THE GLORY DAYS!!

Louie

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THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

2011-08-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

(Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

There’s nothing like fresh fruit. There’s something attractive about the look, smell, and taste of fruit. When the Holy Spirit controls our lives we will bear fruit for our Lord that builds up believers and attracts sinners to Christ. Pray over each one and you will be fruitful for our Lord!

- LOVE (agape) is listed first because it is the foundation of the other graces (1 Cor 13:4-8a). (John 15:13) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

- JOY (chara) is a deep and abiding inner rejoicing which was promised to those who abide in Christ. Different from happiness which is based on happy circumstances. (John 15:11) "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

- PEACE (eirene) is an inner repose and quietness, even in the face of adverse circumstances. (John 14:27) "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
- LONGSUFFERING (makrothumia) is patient forbearance towards others and slowness in avenging wrongs. (Eph 4:2) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

- KINDNESS (chrestotes) is benevolence (love) in action. (1 John 3:18) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

- GOODNESS (agathosune) is uprightness of soul and an action reaching out to others to do good even when it is not deserved. (1 Sam 24:17) Then he (Saul) said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.

- FAITHFULNESS (pistis) is the quality which renders a person trustworthy or reliable. (1 Cor 4:2) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

- GENTLENESS (praotes) is meekness; the right use of power and authority (power under control). (Phil 4:5) Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

- SELF-CONTROL (egkrateia) denotes self-mastery and relates to curbing the fleshly impulses just described in Galatians 5:19-21. (1 Cor 9:27) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Louie

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JEHOVAH WITNESSES

2011-08-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

JEHOVAH WITNESSES

The Jehovah's Witnesses was begun by Charles Taze Russell in 1872. He had difficulty in accepting the doctrine of eternal damnation and so came to deny this teaching of the Bible. He also came to reject the Trinity, the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. When he was 18 Russell organized a Bible class in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1879 it was his desire to popularize his ideas. He co-published The Herald of the Morning magazine with its founder, N. H. Barbour. By 1884 Russell controlled the publication and renamed it The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom. He also founded Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society (now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society - WTBTS). The first edition of The Watchtower magazine was only 6,000 copies each month. Today the Witnesses' publishing complex in Brooklyn, New York, pump out 100,000 books and 800,000 copies of its two magazines--daily!

After the death of Russell on Oct. 31, 1916, a Missouri lawyer named Joseph Franklin Rutherford took over the presidency of the Watch Tower Society which was known then as the International Bible Students Association. In 1931 he changed the name of the organization to "The Jehovah's Witnesses." Succeeding leaders have been Nathan Knorr, Frederick Franz, Milton Henschel, and Don A. Adams. Today the religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism!

Jehovah's Witnesses are best known for their door-to-door preaching, distribution of literature such as The Watchtower and Awake!, and for their refusal of military service, saluting the flag, and blood transfusions. They do not observe Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or other holidays and customs they consider to have pagan origins incompatible with Christianity.

The Jehovah’s Witness religion has made a number of predictions about the end of the world. The first was 1914 – they based their prediction on prophecies from the Book of Daniel. After the end did not come, they changed the meaning of the prediction and stated that it was the date that Jesus would begin to rule invisibly. Some other years that the group have predicted the end of the world to come are: 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975, etc. (see Deut 18:20-22)

Here are some of the major aberrant teachings of the Jehovah Witnesses (JWs):

- TRINITY: JWs find it difficult to worship “a three-headed God.” They call Jesus a “mighty god,” but not the Almighty God— Jehovah. (See Gen 1:26; Mat 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14)

- DEITY OF CHRIST: JWs teach Jesus was created by God and that He had been the archangel Michael in heaven before He came to Earth. Their translation of John 1:1 from their New World Translation says the Word (Jesus) was “a” god. (See Mat 1:23; John 8:58; John 20:28; Phil 2:6; Col 2:9; Titus 2:13; Rev 1:8)

- BODILY RESURRECTION OF JESUS: As for Jesus’ resurrection, the JWs insist that Christ did not rise bodily from the dead, but only as a spirit who looked as if He were a body. (See John 20; Rom 1:3-4; 1 Cor 15)

- CHRIST’S FULL ATONEMENT: Man is saved through works and perfect obedience to Jehovah—by being and doing exactly what the WTBTS teaches. (See Eph 1:7; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

The next time you hear a knock on the door don’t feel intimidated. Remember Jesus died for the JWs too!

Louie

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CCNORCO BEACH BASH/BAPTISM

2011-08-17T09:44:00.001-07:00

CCNORCO BEACH BASH is Saturday, August 27 (NOT AUGUST 20...that was a bulletin typo), 5pm at Huntington State Beach. Come for a fun time of eating and fellowship around the fire pit. Enter at Brookhurst Ave. and Coast Highway and look for the CCNorco signs. Parking is 15.00 so think about carpooling to share the expense. Why not come early and enjoy the surf and sun if you so choose. Bring your own food/beverage,recreation equipment, blanket and jacket and we'll praise 'till sunset! There will also be an opportunity to be baptized in the ocean. (Psalm 93:4) The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea.

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BIBLE FUN FACTS FOR KIDS (of all ages!)

2011-07-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BIBLE FUN FACTS FOR KIDS (of all ages!)

Kids getting bored this summer? Nothing to do in the car? Then have fun exploring these fun Bible facts!

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT FACTS: The Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents; Did you know the Bible contains 773,693 words and 3,566,480 letters and 31,102 verses. Reading them all aloud would take a person approximately 70 hours!; The Old Testament has 39 books, while the New Testament has 27 books, bringing the total to 66; The Apostle Paul wrote 13 books (almost half) of the New Testament; The Bible contains 1,189 chapters; You can read through the Bible in one year if you read approximately 3 chapters a day; The first three words in the Bible are 'in the beginning'; The first five books of the Bible, referred to as the Pentateuch, were written by Moses; The last word in the Bible is 'Amen'; The most popular verse in the Bible is John 3:16; The most comforting chapter in the Bible is Psalms 23; The central theme of the Bible is redemption through Christ.

LONGEST AND THE SHORTEST: The shortest book in the Bible is 1 John 3 with one chapter, 13 verses; The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11: 35, 'Jesus wept'; The longest book in the Bible is Psalms; The longest verse is Esther 8:9 containing 90 words; The longest word in the Bible is a name, Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isaiah 8:1).

STRONGEST, WISEST, OLDEST, TALLEST: The strongest and wisest men in the Bible are Samson and Solomon; The tallest and biggest villain in the Bible is Goliath whose height was over 9 ½ feet; The greatest warrior in the Bible is Gideon, who defeated 135,000 Midianites along with 300 men and 300 trumpets under God's power; The oldest individual in the Bible was Methuselah (Genesis 5:27), who died at the age of 969!; Giant who had the first king size bed was king Og of Bashan (Deut 3:11).

DID YOU KNOW: Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 118 is the central chapter of the Bible and Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible; Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet, except 'J'; The word 'God' appears 3,841 times in the Bible; The two books, 'Songs of Solomon' and 'Esther' have no mention of God in them; The word "Christian" only appears three times in the Bible; A sheep is the most frequently mentioned animal in the Bible; The only domesticated animal not mentioned in the Bible is the cat!; Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer are the three angels mentioned by name in the Bible.

OTHER FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE: The Bible is the most shoplifted book in the world; About 50 bibles are sold every minute; Enoch and Elijah were two men in the bible who never died!; A raven was the first animal to emerge from the ark; There are 49 different foods mentioned in the Bible; Almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned in the Bible; The word "grandmother" appears in the Bible only once (2 Tim 1:5 KJV); Seven suicides are recorded in the Bible.

UNUSUAL FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE: Man who used a stone for a pillow (Gen 28:11); Man who had a conversation with a donkey (Numbers 22:28-30); Sun and moon stood still for a whole day (Josh 10:12-14); A woman killed a man by driving a nail through his head (Judges 4:17-21); Men lapped water like dogs (Judges 7:4-7); Man who had twelve fingers and twelve toes (2 Sam 21:20-21); Man who outran a chariot (1 Kings 18:41-46); An axe head that floated in the river (2 Kings 6:1-6); Woman who boiled and ate her son (2 Kings 6:26-31); Woman whose body was eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:30-37); The sun travelled backwards (Isa 38:1-8); Man who walked naked for three years (Isa 20:2-4); Man ate locusts for food (Mat 3:4). Believe it or not!!

Louie

I NEED A VACATION

2011-07-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

I NEED A VACATION

(Mark 6:31) And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Well here we are in the middle of summer and the height of the vacation season. We’re seeing lots cars with full luggage racks and out of state license plates. And people we know are talking of their exciting plans to frolic in fun places. And in the midst of it all you might be longing to get away and recreate but you’re broke and under a busy yoke. How do you handle all that pressure in life and still try to be happy for others who are able to get away? (Psa 55:6) So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Traveling with Jesus was exciting for His disciples. But sometimes it got crazy! There were so many people to reach and keeping up with Jesus was exhausting. The disciples had just returned from a mission the Master had sent them on and they came back with no time to decompress. They jumped right back into ministry with Jesus and the Bible says they were so busy they didn’t even have time to eat. Jesus recognized their need for some space so He sent them on a much needed break so they could refresh themselves.

Is that what you need to do? Do you need to get away and take that vacation you’ve been dreaming about? Some say they can’t afford it but it’s really just a matter of priority. There are inexpensive things you can do. And you don’t have to go very far. You can even stay home and do day trips. But why is it we are so driven as a culture to work, work, work? I think it’s because we are proving our worth by our work. Our European counterparts enjoy much time off throughout the year because they value lifestyle and quality of life. But here in America we push ourselves to burnout. We feel guilty when we relax. We don’t want people to think we’re lazy. And we feel indispensible at work like the business would go belly up in our absence! (Isa 28:12) To whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.

But the Lord has promised rest to His people! (Psa 37:7) Rest in the Lord… (Psa 116:7) Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. Hard work must be balanced with rest. Let’s remember God gave the Sabbath for His people Israel to rejuvenate. But if there isn’t any respite then our body and our emotional state begin to break down and we start suffering the consequences. There’s times you have to push yourself and then you trust God that you will have times of repose. Like a beautiful piece of classical music that gets chaotic, hits a peak crescendo, and then resolves into a lazy river of symphony that caresses your weary soul. (Acts 3:19)…that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

But remember this beloved…you can spend all that money and go to an exotic place and still be miserable. Why? Because you take yourself with you! There have been vacations where I have been in the most beautiful place but the place in my heart was not so beautiful. Times like these we learn the vacation we need is to enter the rest that Jesus has for us. (Mat 11:28-30) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

God wants us to stop striving and start thriving. Our getaway isn’t so much getting away as much as it is giving away our heavy burdens and cares to the Lord. Then when God allows us a retreat we are not so much running away from something as much as looking for a place to match that perfect peace of the heart.

Louie

THE CHRISTIAN WORKER

2011-07-14T10:41:00.001-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE CHRISTIAN WORKER

(Rom 16:9) Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ…

You have probably never heard of Urbanus before. But as Paul was winding up his letter to the Roman believers he gave greetings to this man and called him a “fellow worker.” We don’t know much else about Urbanus since he is only mentioned here and nowhere else in the Bible. All we can say is that he wasn’t a country boy since his name means “belonging to the urbs or city.” But we do know how he spent his time as a busy urbanite. He was a fellow worker in Christ, serving the Lord right where he was.

There is always so much to do with our time. Think of all that’s on your plate. But in the midst of all your activities and responsibilities do you ever feel like there must be more to life than how you spend your energies? Is all that effort going in the right direction? Do you ever desire to do something for eternity and not just for the temporal? Then like Urbanus, the Lord might be calling you to be a Christian worker.

In any given ministry there are so many things that need to be done. When God is moving there is the necessity to keep up with the flow of the Spirit. Ministries spring up and as a result there is a lack of Christian workers to get the work done. As you look into the behind-the-scenes of a ministry it is typical to see a small group of people doing most of the work. But as the ministry grows these Christian workers can become taxed. What is therefore created is the necessity for others to step up to the plate to share in this blessed work for the Lord. Jesus was insightful on this: (Mat 9:37-38) Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Christian workers are not to complain but to pray. They are also not to make others feel guilty that they are doing all the work. Remember Martha on that (Luke 10:38-42). God will provide the workers.

Having a changed life in Christ is the most thrilling experience on earth. Others put into your life as a newborn baby (1 Pet 2:2). But as you grow and mature in Christ you will naturally feel like you want to put back in what you have taken out. That’s when you will want to start praying about how you can serve the Lord. Then wait on the Lord (Psa 27:14). As you do the doors will open (Rev 3:7-8) and you will have the excitement of service for our King! (Psa 100:2) Serve the LORD with gladness…

As God opens the door you will feel privileged to serve the Lord. You won’t believe God has chosen you to do something for Him. Your cup will overflow and it will be hard to wait until your next opportunity for service comes around. In between you pray fervently over your ministry and the people involved in it. Then you spend time preparing not only your heart but also what you need to do to be ready to serve. As all this transpires you will feel so fulfilled because you are doing something that really makes a difference in life.

As much as the life of a Christian worker is exciting it will also have its challenges. Satan will seek to discourage the servant of the Lord. (2 Cor 2:11) He might suggest that you are not bearing fruit and that you should go ahead and quit. (1 Cor 15:58) Next, Satan might propose that you are not worthy of your ministry because you are falling short and don’t deserve to serve the Lord. (Rev 12:10; 1 John 2:1-2). Be advised He will also try to draw you into conflict with other Christian workers. (Mat 18:15-35) Don’t give in to these tendencies because the reward for serving Lord is just too great! (Heb 6:10) For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Louie

GET BACK ON TRACK

2011-07-06T22:26:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GET BACK ON TRACK

(Pro 4:25-27) Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.

Have you ever gotten lost while hiking? It’s a creepy feeling and you can’t wait until you figure things out and get back to your origination. One time at a Young Adult camp we were hosting in the mountains, a girl wandered off by herself and got disoriented and couldn’t make her way back. Then the sun set. Eventually we had to call Search and Rescue. We prayed all night that she would be safe. She was found in the middle of the night absolutely worn and disheveled but by God’s grace she was unhurt. She said it was unimaginably frightening and she told us she almost went off a cliff in the dark! It all started when she got off track.

That can be so like the Christian life. God tells you to do something and everything is going good. Then you veer off course a little and get involved in something else. Next thing you know you’re way off course and can’t find your way back.

1 Kings 13 shares a story of a man of God who was told by God to go to Bethel and speak against the altar of idolatry right before king Jeroboam himself. The king stretched out his arm to have him arrested but his arm withered. He asked the prophet to heal him and he did. The king wanted to have him come to his house and reward him but he told the king the Lord had said no to any hospitality and to leave a different way he came. Now an old prophets’ sons saw what had happened and they went home to tell their father. The man went after the man of God on his donkey and found him sitting under an oak tree. He told the younger prophet an angel had spoken to him that he was to come home with him so he went with him. When they were eating at the table the older prophet spoke the Word of the Lord to him and said he had been disobedient and that he would die and not be buried in the tomb of his fathers. When the young prophet left for home a young lion met him and killed him. When the older prophet heard it he came and picked up his body and buried him.

That story scares me. In fact both stories alarm me! Why is it so easy to stray off track? It might be we get bored and a another path looks more fun than the one we are on. Or it may be that our course is getting difficult and we want an easier one. But we must keep to the task whether bored or tired! (Mat 7:13-14) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Here’s a good prayer to pray along the path of life: (Psa 25:4-5) Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. And if we go off in another direction we have the Lord to remind us of where we need to be: (Isa 30:21) Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “ This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

I like the example of Jesus who was so set on His course: (Luke 9:51) Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem. Paul too is a good example when he was told he would be bound and arrested in Jerusalem: (Acts 21:13) Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Is it time for you to get back on track and to stay there?

Louie

FAITH OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS

2011-06-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

FAITH OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS

(Hebrews 11:2) For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.

GEORGE WASHINGTON: "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." --The Writings of Washington, pp. 342-343.

JOHN ADAMS: "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God." --Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.

THOMAS JEFFERSON: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?” --Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237.

JOHN HANCOCK: "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual…Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." --History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: "Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped.” --Benjamin Franklin wrote this in a letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale University on March 9, 1790.

SAMUEL ADAMS: “…by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world…that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace." --As Governor of Massachusetts, Proclamation of a Day of Fast, March 20, 1797.

JAMES MADISON: "Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ." --America's Providential History, p. 93.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON: "I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man." --Famous American Statesmen, p. 126.

"Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword; Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy Whene’er we hear that glorious Word! FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, HOLY FAITH! WE WILL BE TRUE TO THEE TILL DEATH. Faith of our fathers, we will strive To win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, We all shall then be truly free. Faith of our fathers, we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife; And preach thee, too, as love knows how By kindly words and virtuous life." (Hymn: Frederick W. Faber, 1849)

Louie

THE APOCRYPHA

2011-06-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE APOCRYPHA

(Deu 4:2) You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it…

Have you ever seen a Bible that is typically a lot thicker and has extra books in it that seem unfamiliar? That is because it includes the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is a set of books that some in the church have declared as inspired and authoritative for doctrine and/or practice. Churches that include the Apocrypha are Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican. Modern day Protestants for the most part leave the Apocrypha out. Why is there a difference of opinion? The Bible is important to our lives and we should know which books are inspired and which ones are not. What should we believe about the Apocrypha?

The Apocrypha is a collection of documents produced during the intertestamental period (the time period between the Old and New testaments) which were not a part of the original Hebrew Old Testament canon. The names of these books are 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, The Rest of Esther, Song of the Three Holy Children, History of Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Prayer of Manasses, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 Maccabees, and 2 Maccabees. The last seven of these are incorporated into Roman Catholic editions of the Bible. The Catholic Council of Trent (1546) affirmed the canonicity of these books, as found in the Latin Vulgate and Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament – 200b.c.).

Here is the truth about the books of the Apocrypha:

- They were not included in the original Hebrew scriptures preserved by the Jews. (Rom 3:1-2)

- The Apocryphal writings are not quoted by the Lord Jesus or the apostles.

- In 90 AD. the Jewish Council at Jamnia excluded the books of the Apocrypha.

- They do not claim to be the inspired Word of God. Unlike the inspired Scriptures, the Apocryphal books are void of statements such as "thus saith the Lord" or the like.

- They contain teachings contrary to the biblical books. (Praying and making offerings for the dead/basis for the doctrine of purgatory - II Maccabees 12:43-45; Salvation by works – Tobit 4:11, Ecclesiasticus 3:30; Command to use magic – Tobit 6:5-9; The immaculate conception of Mary - Wisdom 8:19-20). There are some historical errors as well (Judith 1:5 – Nebuchadnezzar not king of Assyria; Baruch 6:2 – Jewish captivity length).

- In quality and style, the Apocryphal books fall below the integrity of the Bible writings. An initial reading of the Apocryphal books reveal the uninspired writings of men apart from divine inspiration.

A few of the Apocryphal books do have historical value as they give information regarding the inter-testament "quiet years" prior to the coming of Christ. But this is no justification for giving the Apocrypha a place in the Holy Scripture.

Thank God for His inspired Word! Let’s never add or take away from God’s truth: (2 Tim 3:16-17) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Louie

CHILD DISCIPLINE (Part II)

2011-06-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

CHILD DISCIPLINE (Part II)

Last time I shared some principles from the Word of God that I pray was helpful to parents. This time I would like to draw from the wisdom of Proverbs that is generously insightful in regards to child discipline. Please keep in mind that though we live in modern times these truths are ageless!

- (Prov 13:24) He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. If we refrain from disciplining and correcting our children then we actually hate our children because we are forfeiting that which is essential in their lives for full development and maturity. And notice how we must discipline our children promptly. That means in a timely fashion. Don’t be lazy in dealing with what your child needs at the moment…including discipline!

- (Prov 19:18) Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. The time to correct your child is now while they are young. If we neglect child discipline then what hope do we have that our children will be obedient in the future? Not only to us but how about their teachers… future employers… or most importantly to God? Better that your child cries now than for you as a parent to cry later when your child has no respect for authority and lives a godless life.

- (Prov 22:15) Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. Isn’t it strange how we as parents wonder why our kids act up and misbehave when we do so much for them and bend over backwards for them? What wasted discussion there is between husband and wife on this subject! Our children are rebellious because they have a sinful nature that they inherited from us. That bend toward evil needs to be brought into conformity to the will of God. This will come by parents who teach principles from God’s Word and live it out in the home and hold their children accountable for their behavior.

- (Prov 23:13-14) Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. {14} You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. See what discipline does? It will keep your children in line and on the right path so they will serve the Lord and be guarded from the road to destruction the world is calling them to. Now keep in mind this is not a scripture to validate the venting of personal anger on a child. We are not to be overly harsh on our child. But neither are we to be too lenient on them either. Both sides will provoke our children to wrath because they will feel we do not love them (Eph 6:4).

- (Prov 29:15) The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Loving discipline is corrective in nature. It gives the child wisdom and the knowledge of right and wrong. Children learn by testing the boundaries and suffering consequences. If we leave our children to themselves then eventually they will bring shame to us as parents. Parents will suffer the consequences of their own neglect. Get a rule over yourself so you can get a rule over your children so that everybody will be under God’s rule which is the best! (Rom 13:1-2)

- (Prov 29:17) Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul. Discipline is hard work. That’s why many parents neglect this responsibility. But the benefits of attentive parenting are that your children will be a blessing to you because you raised them right and stayed on your post. Much challenge brings much reward. You were meant to enjoy your children, not just endure them. And the ultimate joy is to see them love and serve God (3 John 1:4). God help us in the training of our children for His glory! (Deu 6:4-9)

Louie

CHILD DISCIPLINE (Part I)

2011-06-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

CHILD DISCIPLINE (Part I)

There are so many voices out there telling you how you should discipline your kids. Save your money because the Bible is the best manual for raising children! Discover God’s ways for dealing with child behavior:

BALANCE: (Eph 6:4) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. You will need a balance of love and discipline. You can be too harsh or too lenient. Be honest with yourself. Which side do you usually lean towards? If you’re a softie you need to work on being a better disciplinarian. If you are too strict you need to lighten up. Ask God to help you.

AGE APPROPRIATE: (Isa 40:11) He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Ask yourself what is age appropriate for your child. From the terrible twos to the trying teens you will need to think through what is best. From taking away a favorite toy or taking away the car keys you will have to make that decision and hold to it.

METHOD APPROPRIATE: (James 1:5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Each instance of child disobedience needs God’s wisdom on how to respond and the method of discipline that needs to be implemented. Does this incident deserve a time out? A privilege withheld? A chore? God helps us to prayerfully decide each time.

EACH CHILD DIFFERENT: (Gen 25:23) And the LORD said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” It is amazing how each child comes out so different. Not only in looks but in disposition and personality. How you discipline one might not work for the other. Some children are strong willed and some are compliant. Be careful that you don’t use blanket methods for all your children.

NECESSITY OF GRACE AND MERCY – (Ezra 9:13)…since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve… Avoid disciplining your child in anger. Settle your spirit down and remember God’s mercy!

NOT FUN BUT PROFITABLE: (Heb 12:9-11) Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Discipline is not fun! That’s why many parents avoid dealing with their kids and let a lot of things go. Your kids lose respect for you when you do so. Get off the couch. Take the child out of the store. Hang up the phone. Stay on it!

DISCERNMENT: (1 Cor 13:7) (Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Sometimes kids act up because they are tired or hungry or under pressure. Use discernment at these times as you try to ascertain the underlying cause. Take care of the basic needs. Talk about the bully at school or the rejection of being turned down for a date.

RELATIONSHIP: (Deu 6:7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Rules without relationship equals rebellion. Spend time with your kids. Maybe they are acting up because they need your attention!

Louie

CAN A CHRISTIAN FALL OUT OF SALVATION?

2011-06-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

CAN A CHRISTIAN FALL OUT OF SALVATION?

One of the most frequently asked questions by Christians is if a believer can fall out of salvation. Some say your salvation is secure and some say you can fall from grace. Advocates from opposing sides can be very opinionated and even harsh to the opposite camp. But many of us have a concern for a friend or loved one who once professed Christ but are not living for Christ. Are they saved? Will they go to heaven? Let’s take a fresh look at this topic close to hearts.

Let’s talk first about the group that says the Bible teaches the security of the believer’s salvation. One of the main verses is: (John 10:28-29) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. Notice how this verse relates to eternal life being eternal and the emphasis on how a believer will never perish. Then there is the confidence that God’s hand is on the believer and He won’t allow any of His children to be snatched from his hand.

But then there is the other camp that believes you can fall out of salvation. The main scripture for this is: (Heb 6:4-6) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. This verse seems to state that after you come to the Lord you can fall away and not be renewed to repentance. What is a Christian to believe and which side is right?

My personal belief is that if a person is truly saved they have eternal life and will never perish and that God’s hand will be on them for protection. They may stray at times and even backslide but the Good Shepherd will bring them back (Luke 15). And if they choose to remain carnal their whole life then they will be saved “so as through fire.” They will gain heaven but lose their reward at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:12-15).

So what about the Hebrews passage? I believe in context the writer is referring to Jewish Christians who were suffering persecution and were therefore reevaluating if they wanted to continue being a Christian. It looks like from the passage they were going back to animal sacrifices and therefore crucifying again for themselves the Son of God and putting Him to an open shame.

I think that when you see a professed believer not serving the Lord it is important to have this perspective: Either he/she is saved but temporarily backslidden or perhaps in an arrested state of carnality. Or they never were saved to begin with, which would fit this scripture: (1 John 2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

So how do you know? Only God knows. (2 Tim 2:19) …“The Lord knows those who are His… We can judge people’s fruit (Mat 7:20) but we can’t judge them personally (Mat 7:1-5). Only God is the judge (James 5:9).

I believe a Christian’s security is wrapped up in the finished work of Jesus from the cross. Saying you can fall out of salvation puts the emphasis on the believer’s works. And we know we can’t work for our salvation (Eph 2:8-9). But neither should a person misuse their freedom in Christ and live in sin (Gal 5:1; Rom 6). And if you love Jesus you won’t be concerned about falling out of salvation. You will just enjoy your salvation…forever!

Louie

MEMORIAL DAY

2011-05-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

MEMORIAL DAY

(Deu 8:18) "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…

Memorial Day is a United States holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I. Many observe this holiday by flying the flag and visiting cemeteries and memorials. Volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at National Cemeteries. In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also used as a time for picnics, barbecues, and gatherings with family and friends. Memorial Day is also viewed as the unofficial beginning of summer (with Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season.)

Freedom comes at a price. How important it is to remember the sacrifices of others who have made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. I like to see the flag’s colors as…Red: The blood of the slain. White: The purity of the sacrifice made for others. Blue: The heaven we enjoy because of that soldier’s sacrifice. We have a lot of problems in our country but we do have immense advantages and most of all we are free! And it’s because of the soldiers sacrifice of history as well as those securing our freedoms today by the giving of their lives. You can be pro or con for the current wars we wage but let’s not forget that soldier’s sacrifice!

And as believers in Christ let’s remember all the Lord has done for us and our nation. God has been good to us and we have been so undeserving. It has been He who has given us the power to gain the wealth and prosperity we have. God warned Israel to not forget His blessings but what did they do? They forgot the Lord and took His blessings for granted. They soon degraded into a pagan nation and then suffered the consequences under the correcting hand of God. Isn’t that a pattern for any nation or individual who steps outside the will of God and becomes ungrateful?

- (Psa 100:4) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

- (Rom 1:21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

- (Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Everyday should be a memorial day. Rising up in the morning and counting our blessings. What a great way to start the day! And then thinking that all we have is because someone made it possible. It comes from the hand of God and those who gave up something for somebody else. What an inspiration for us to live our lives sacrificially: (Heb 13:16) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

And don’t forget the greatest sacrifice of all. Jesus died on the cross to make us free from sin and destruction! His blood is red for cleansing which makes us white as snow, so we can live in the blue of heaven forever! Let’s take some time today to thank God for the sacrifices that have made us free!!

Louie

UNSAVED LOVED ONES

2011-05-25T22:23:00.001-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

UNSAVED LOVED ONES

(Rom 10:1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

One of our greatest concerns as believers in Christ is for our loved ones to be saved. We know that some of them know and love the Lord. Some of them use to be close to the Lord. And we are praying for others to be saved for the first time. It’s a burden that we carry with us until each loved is born again and walking with the Lord in full commitment. That’s how Paul felt with his fellow Jewish countrymen. God knows our desires and hears our prayers for our loved ones. They will come to the Lord but we have to be patient until God works out His overall glorious plan in their lives.

Paul was so grieved about the Jews rejection of Jesus that he stated he would be accursed for the Jews if that meant their salvation (9:1-3). This is how Moses felt with the Israelites in the wilderness. (Exo 32:31-32) Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! {32} "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin; but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." Isn’t that how we feel about our loved ones who still need to come to Christ? But we know that we can’t be accursed for others because Jesus already took the curse for them. (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree").

Through prayer we are claiming our loved ones for the Lord. We are moving them on the spiritual graph from the negative to the point of salvation. Until then we have to be encouraged that our prayers are working on their behalf. Though they haven’t made that full commitment to the Lord, we know God is working behind the scenes. Let’s not lose faith and give up in the battle for their souls. They might be closer than you think! (Luke 18:1) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…(Gal 6:9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. I knew one woman who every night laid hands on her husband in bed to receive the Lord. (He was a heavy sleeper!) What a prayer warrior!

Remember the Philippian jailer? When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for preaching Christ they were singing hymns to God at midnight. Suddenly the prison shook and everyone’s chains fell off. The jailer was so taken by this that he drew his sword and was about to take his own life. Paul told him not to do it. He then came and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas and asked what he must do to be saved. (Acts 16:31) So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." They then spoke the word of God to him and to his whole household. Everyone in the family received the Lord and were baptized!

Have you claimed your family for Christ? Of course each member of your family has a free will but the door of salvation is open to them through your witness so they can willingly choose. (1 Cor 7:14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. Just think of how glorious it will be when your loved ones come to the Lord. It will be beyond your expectations. View your loved ones through the eyes of faith and pray for them every day. Do what you can to influence them for Christ. Then stand back and watch God work! (Josh 24:15) "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Louie

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I AM

2011-05-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

I AM

The Hebrew name Yahweh (or the English translation “Jehovah” as is sometimes used) comes from four Hebrew consonants YHWH (a “tetragram”, a word of four letters). We don’t know exactly how it is pronounced because the Jewish scribes would not pronounce it for fear of mispronouncing it and thereby blaspheming God (Exo 20:7; Lev 24:16). Years later when vowels were written into the Hebrew text the vowels for the Hebrew name “Adonai” were inserted into the tetragram. Therefore we have the form of the name “Yahweh” today.

The name Yahweh means “I am that I am” and means God is self-existent in His nature and Being . . . always was and always will be. In the Old Testament Yahweh occurs 6,519 times. This would be the covenant name of God for His people.

The name Yahweh was spoken before the Flood (Gen. 4:26) and later by the patriarchs (Gen. 9:26; 12:8; 22:14; 24:12). But with Moses at the burning bush the name Yahweh gained a new significance. God's people were to have a new relationship with Him by virtue of God redeeming them from the bondage of Egypt and by establishing a covenant with them.

In the Old Testament, Yahweh is used along with other words to construct a compound name. These compound names of Yahweh tell us that God is self-existent and is able and ready to meet any need His people might have: JEHOVAH-RAPHA, "the Lord that heals" (Exo 15:26). JEHOVAH-NISSI, "the Lord our banner" (Exo 17:8-15). JEHOVAH-SHALOM, "the Lord our peace" (Judg 6:24). JEHOVAH-RA'AH, "the Lord my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1). JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, "the Lord our righteousness" (Jer 23:6). JEHOVAH-JIREH, "the Lord who provides" (Gen. 22:14). JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, "the Lord is there" (Eze 48:35).

In the New Testament, Jesus spoke of Himself as the “I AM” or “Yahweh” of the Old Testament.(John 8:56-59) "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." {57} Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" {58} Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." {59} Then they took up stones to throw at Him...

Jesus’ seven “I Am’s” are in the gospel of John: “I am the Bread of Life” (6:35). “I am the Light of the world” (8:12). “I am the Door of the sheep” (10:7; cf. v. 9). “I am the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14). “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (11:25). “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life” (14:6). “I am the true Vine” (15:1; cf. v. 5).

Do you have a need in your life today? The I AM can!

Louie

GOOD MORNING

2011-05-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOOD MORNING

I love the mornings. It’s a fresh new start. Yesterday is gone. There is the excitement of what the new day holds. The sun is rising, the birds are chirping, the newspaper is out front, people are off to work, kids are off to school, and most importantly (you know me), the coffee is brewing! So how should a day begin? Let’s review the scriptures to make sure we have a proper focus at the beginning of the day.

MERCY: (Lam 3:22-23) Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. {23} They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Claim new mercies for the new day!

PRAYER: (Psa 5:3) My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. How wonderful it is to wake up in the morning and offer a prayer. If you’re like me I have so many directions my brain wants to take when I awaken. But bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience to Christ is the key (2 Cor 10:5). Morning is the time to look up and present your body (Rom 12:1).

SING: (Psa 59:16) But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble. Morning is a time to sing. It’s the heart’s way of giving thanks early like the birds outside. When we sing we are lighthearted. And that’s the best way to be in the morning. It’s also a way to be filled with the Spirit before our hearts and minds are filled with the concerns of the day (Eph 5:18-19).

SEEK: (Psa 143:8) Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Seek the Lord for His plan for the day. Then you know that no matter what happens, God is in it and will get you through. Be solution oriented.

READ: (Eze 12:8) And in the morning the word of the LORD came to me… Take time to read the Word before you run out and start the day. Christian radio and music will also supplement your daily devotions.

MOOD: (Deu 28:67) In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’… I have found that the attitude I have in the morning will be with me throughout the day. Fight those tendencies to be in a dark and depressive mood. Turn on the light and let the SONshine in!

INTERCEDE: (Job 1:5) So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly. Pray for your family members by name each morning and ask God to bless them and their day!

PETITION: (Mat 6:11) Give us this day our daily bread. List you needs before the Lord. He loves to hear your prayer and He will answer in His timing!

BLESS: (Ruth 2:4) Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered him, “The LORD bless you!” Now you are ready for interaction with others. When you come in contact with people be upbeat and give them a blessing. Watch what comes back to you.

Good morning, Lord!...or…Good Lord, it’s morning! I’ll say good morning because God is good…all the time!

Louie

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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER SCRIPTURES

2011-05-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Today is the National Day of Prayer (May 5). I encourage you to take a little time today to read and pray over these scriptures for our nation.:

(2 Chronicles 7:14) "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

(Ezra 9:13) And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this,

(Nehemiah 1:6) please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.

(Nehemiah) 9:17 …But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.

(Proverbs 14:34) Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

(Isa 1:6) From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment.

(Jer 6:15) Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the LORD.

(Jeremiah 29:7) And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

(Luke 19:41) Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,

(James 4:7-10) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

(1 Timothy 2:1-2) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, {2} for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

MOTHER'S DAY SCRIPTURES

2011-05-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

MOTHER’S DAY SCRIPTURES

Happy Mother’s Day to you! I went through all 305 scriptures that refer to the word mother and compiled a list for moms to study on their own. It might be good to keep this devotion in your Bible and go through them this week. Ponder over them and pray through them. You have an incredible role to play in the life of a child who will in turn influence the world. The Word of God will encourage you to keep on in your task even when your kids are grown up and live on their own. Because as you moms know…your kids are always your kids!

The first mom: (Gen 3:20) And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. Time when the kids will start their own families: (Gen 2:24) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. The blessing of being a mom: (Gen 17:16) And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” The joy of obedient children: (Gen 28:7) and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Padan Aram. God’s commandment to honor moms: (Exo 20:12) “Honor your father and your mother,… God wants to use mothers: (Judg 5:7) Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. Moms are needed for the instruction of a child: (Pro 1:8) …do not forsake the law of your mother. The blessing of being a mother-in-law: (Ruth 1:14) Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. The kindness of a mother: (1 Sam 2:19) Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. God can make up for being forsaken by a mother: (Psa 27:10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. Mother’s Day can be difficult when mom is gone: (Psa 35:14) I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother. Children inherit our sin nature: (Psa 51:5) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. The joy of childrearing: (Psa 113:9) He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children… Mothers provide nurturing comfort: (Isa 66:13) As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you… The influence of a mother: (Eze 16:44) …‘Like mother, like daughter!’ Potential family conflict: (Micah 7:6) Daughter rises against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own household. Loving Christ more than mother: (Mat 10:37) He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me… Moms can be over concerned regarding their children: (Mat 12:47) Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” Moms can meddle in their children’s lives: (Mat 20:20) Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. Dedicating children from the womb: (Luke 1:15) For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. The pain of seeing your children suffer: (Luke 2:35) (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also)… The constant concern of a mother: (Luke 2:48) …“Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” The inner ponderings of a mother: (Luke 2:51) …His mother kept all these things in her heart. The unspeakable pain of the loss of a child: (Luke 7:12) And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow… Caring for mother when she is old: (John 19:26) When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” The cherishing nature of mothers: (1 Thes 2:7) But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. Passing down faith to your children: (2 Tim 1:5) when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Older moms influencing younger moms: (Titus 2:4) that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.

Louie

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OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD. SHOULD CHRISTIANS REJOICE?

2011-05-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

I have heard more than one believer in Christ already in conflict of emotion over the death of Osama bin Laden. Should Christians rejoice? Part of you wants to be happy that justice has been served. The other part of you is sensitive over the eternal plight of the wicked. Be assured, dear believer, that one emotion does not have to be at the exclusion of the other:

(Psa 103:6) The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

(Eze 18:23) Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?

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A ROYAL INVITATION

2011-04-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

A ROYAL INVITATION

(Rev 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

It's nice to get an invitation to a desired event. Someone was thinking of you and sent you an invitation and it made you happy. You get all excited and put the occasion on the calendar. You start to look forward to it and as time grows closer your anticipation amps up. Perhaps you go shopping to get a gift or something you need to wear. Isn't it interesting how we get so energized about an invitation? But have you ever received a royal invitation?

The royal invitation comes from the King of kings Himself. He wants all to come to the feast: (Mat 22:2-3) “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding... Who's getting married? It's Jesus and the Church! (Rev 19:9) Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” It's going to a real special event: (Mat 22:4) Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’ The King sends His servants everywhere because all are invited: (Mat 22:9) Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’

Have you received the royal invitation? Are you planning on being at the wedding? Are you part of the Bride of Christ? Jesus died for you! (Eph 5:25-27) ... Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. The Spirit says, "Come!" Take the invitation and accept the Lord today! (2 Cor 6:2) ...Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

If you are part of the Bride of Christ then the Bride also says, "Come!" There are thirsty souls that need the water of life. Jesus is the Living Water and He who drinks from Him will never thirst again! (John 4) And the water is free! Most pure water you have to pay for! But the price has been paid on the cross when Jesus died for our sins. Do your family and friends know that? Have you given them the royal invitation?

Do you know that most people come to the Lord by the simple invitation of a friend? Preachers lead many to Christ. Evangelists might lead multitudes to the Lord. But all in all most people come to the Lord by someone they know who gives them the royal invitation. That's right...friends lead friends to the Lord. Family members lead family members to the Lord. Employees lead other employees to the Lord, etc. You see, God uses relationships you already have. As you get to know people you do the most loving thing you can do for someone else...lead them to Christ! Remember how Peter was led to the Lord by his brother Andrew? (John 1:40-42)

Sometimes all you have to do is invite someone to church. It's a great form of evangelism. As you tell people about the Lord and whet their appetite you can then invite them to church. As they come they hear the message of the Word of God, are impacted by the truth, and respond by placing their faith in the Lord. Did you know that my wife Cheryl accepted the Lord by a girlfriend of hers who invited her to a church camp? She heard the gospel and got saved. Someone took the time to give her a royal invitation!

Louie

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NOAH'S ARK

2011-04-27T23:08:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

NOAH’S ARK

(Gen 6:13-14) And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. {14} Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.

The story of Noah’s ark is found in Genesis, chapters 6-9. The earth was filled with violence so God decided to destroy the earth but save righteous Noah and his family alive.

Facts about the ark: The ark was about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. It was the length of one and a half football fields and as high as a four-story building. The ark was exactly six times longer than it was wide, which is the same ratio used by shipbuilders today. The volume of space in the ark was 1.4 million cubic feet, equal to the capacity of 522 standard railroad box cars, which could carry 125,000 sheep. Scholars have calculated that a vessel of this size would hold more than 43,000 tons. Henry Morris states it can be shown hydrodynamically that a gigantic box of such dimensions would be exceedingly stable, almost impossible to capsize. Even in a sea of gigantic waves, the ark could be tilted through any angle up to just short of 90 degrees and would immediately thereafter right itself again. Furthermore, it would tend to align itself parallel with the direction of major wave advance and thus be subject to minimum pitching most of the time.

It took 120 years to build the ark (Gen 6:3). During that time Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Pet 2:5). Noah and family (total of eight) and animals sat in the ark seven days before the first drop of rain. Even more time for people to rethink their life styles. (Gen 7:4). He was in the ark over a year! (Gen 7:11-13; Gen 8:13-16).

The Bible says the ark rested in "the mountains of Ararat" (Gen 8:4), a mountain range in eastern Turkey. Many people claimed to have seen the ark through the centuries but there has been no scientific evidence to date that proves where the ark is located. Former astronaut James Irwin led expeditions to Ararat but found no tangible evidence of the ark. I have theorized that after the Church is raptured perhaps global warming will cause it to slide down the mountain to the skeptics feet! (Rev 16:8-9)

Was the flood local or universal? The language of the Genesis account points to a universal flood: (Gen 7:19) And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered.

A story of a great flood sent by a deity to destroy civilization as an act of divine retribution is a theme widespread among many cultures. Most of these flood stories contain a culture hero who strives to ensure the rebirth of the earth after the flood.

Some doubt the story of Noah and reference the problem he would have getting all those animals into the ark. But it looks like God took care of that problem by leading the animals to Noah and the ark: (Gen 7:16) So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

God sent the rainbow as a sign of the covenant he made with Noah that He would never destroy the earth again with a flood (Gen 9:12-17). But the apostle Peter states that the Lord will destroy the earth by fire at the end of the age in preparation for the eternal state (2 Pet 3:10-13). Let’s be ready like Noah was and make sure our family is in the faith! (Heb 11:7) (Gen 6:9)…Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. (Mat 24:37) But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Louie

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GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP

2011-04-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

RESURRECTION POWER!

2011-04-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

RESURRECTION POWER

(Phil 3:10-11) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, {11} if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Don’t you wish you had constant energy, every day and all throughout the day to do all you are called to do in life? But we seem to constantly be sluggish, lugging our bodies around like a box of bowling balls tied to our feet. We are like a video that only works in slow motion or like the person trying to run in water. Very rare is the day in which we feel indefatigable, slaying giants on the right and left and checking off all our “To Do” list. So is there any hope for the weary who is leery of the theory that you can be cheery and get in gear(y)? (oh, that’s bad! But at least it rhymes!!)

Paul wanted to know the Lord. What a great goal of the Christian life. Not just know about the Lord but really know Him. To have Him in the very center of the heart and life. To be intimately acquainted with Him in true love. That this relationship would far surpass any love of lovers or friendships. (Eph 3:17-19) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—{19} to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Then Paul said he wanted to know the power of His resurrection. That’s a lot of power! Just think of it. How many people can raise themselves from the dead? (John 10:18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” That resurrection power of Christ is now available to the believer! (Eph 1:19-20) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power {20} which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Now we have power over sin and temptation. (Rom 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. We also have power to endure trials and so get the victory and reward. (James 1:12) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

But is that all there is to the Christian life? Is it always flying high and never struggling? The way some preachers preach you would think that you always have to be up. That it’s a sin to be down and depressed. After their message you walk away feeling guilty that you’re not climbing up the stairway to heaven to be permanently enshrined in Arch of Triumph of the Christian faith.

I think Paul had something else in mind because after he spoke of the power of His resurrection he spoke of the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. That means you have power to not only be up but also to be down! You have power through the resurrection of Christ to face your problems and to be an overcomer like Jesus did when He went he climbed the hill to the cross! That it’s okay to be up and it’s okay to be down. Down doesn’t mean defeated. It means you are there in the valley of the battle with all you need in Christ to fight and win! Now that’s true power. You don’t need power when you’re up! You need power when you’re down. God gives the recharge you need to keep at it and be victorious. The outcome is you will not only be conformed to His death but you will also attain to the resurrection of the dead! (2 Cor 4:11) For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. RESURRECTION POWER! Now it’ time to get in gear(y)! Sorry, had to do it!!

Louie

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INSIDE OUT HEALTH - Part III

2011-04-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

INSIDE OUT HEALTH – Part III

We have talked about how scripture says that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we are to glorify God through them. We have also discussed the importance of nutrition and getting the right fuel for your tank. Now we come to the importance of exercise.

People used to get enough exercise and for the most part stay naturally lean. People used to walk a lot, eat more natural foods, and were physical in their environment. Then came modernization and the resulting stress on our health because of inactivity. So what must we do? We need to make up for this by exercising. Now that might make you groan but when you see a list of benefits of execise you just might get excited to get moving! BENEFITS OF EXERCISE: Improves your mood; combats chronic diseases; helps manage weight; boosts your energy level; promotes better sleep; improves sex life (Mayo clinic).

So with all these benefits, why aren’t we running to get in shape? It’s because we are prone to laziness and taking the easy road. We would rather take a pill or have surgery than to get into a regiment of discipline. But if we really believe in Inside Out health then we will find we have all we need in Christ to make a lifestyle change and reclaim our health for Him. So where do we begin?

CHRIST: (Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Forget those lame excuses and turn to the Lord for the strength you need to take that first step.

CHOOSE: Now you must choose your form of exercise. Begin by walking around the block. Fix up that bike and ride through the park. Join a gym. Buy an exercise DVD and work out at home. There are so many choices but the main thing is to find something that you enjoy.

COMMIT: The big thing about exercise is the commitment it takes after all the fun wears off. You have to stick to your routine and make exercise non-negotiable. Just as you eat, sleep, go to work, attend church, etc., so you must have the same mentality in regards to exercise. Exercise for life!

The Bible speaks a lot about exercise. My favorite is from the apostle Paul: (1 Cor 9:24-27) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Notice how Paul speaks of running and the reward? That’s what you’ll experience when you exercise. Then he talks about discipline and the importance of telling your body what to do instead of always obeying its demands and impulses.

Here’s a good one: (Heb 12:1) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Lay aside the weight…I love it!

Our goal in exercise isn’t to improve the quality of our bodies to get people to notice. Rather, the goal of exercising should be to improve our physical health so we will possess more energy to serve the Lord and others. (But do be prepared for compliments for they indeed will come!)

Let’s use fitness as a witness!

Louie

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INSIDE OUT HEALTH - Part II

2011-04-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

INSIDE OUT HEALTH – Part II

(Gen 1:12) And the earth brought forth…the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

In part one we established the fact that we have a scriptural mandate to take care of our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Today we get practical in terms of food and nutrition.

In Genesis chapter one we see God creating the world in six days. Within that creation we see food was provided for mankind in terms of fruits and vegetables, fish, and meat. It was all natural food. Before the flood man lived close to a millennium in duration without doctors or modern medicine. Then on down to our modern day things changed. Food became processed with lots of fats and sugars. We became removed from the green earth and chose to travel the fast food turf. Adding on a lack of exercise and the advent of machines and computers we developed an unfit body subject to strain, pain, and gain.

In reaction to this weight gain has been an obsession with dieting. But how many diets have we tried over the years only to gain it all back or even more? And yet we still pour over the magazines or talk with friends about the “this is it” diet that is going to drop off those pounds to obtain that killer figure. So what can we do to remove ourselves from this senseless cycle that sadly repeats itself? Let’s go back to the Bible to get the wisdom of God because there we find two basic nutritional facts:

- EAT NATURAL: As much as possible we are to eat as close to the earth as possible. That means a balanced diet incorporating the essential food groups. Cut down on fast food and junk food and get back to fact food that is good for you. Then reward yourself with a goody every now and then because you’ve been good! (Single scoop!)

- PORTION CONTROL: I love this insight from the book of Ruth: (Ruth 2:14) Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back. Do you see how she ate until she was satisfied and then kept some back? So why do we keep shoveling it in as if there was never going to be another meal? Take the time to cut your hamburger in half and remove one half of your French fries off to the side (or order fruit!). Just because you ordered it and paid for it doesn’t mean you have to eat it all. You’ll be eating again in a few hours. Save the remaining food for lunch tomorrow.

There is another important item that needs to be discussed, and that is EMOTIONAL EATING. It is common to overeat and to eat unhealthy when we are under stress. Food makes us feel good. It temporarily covers the pain but then comes the gain. What is the answer to emotional eating? (John 6:35) And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. We need to go to the Lord when we are stressed. As we cast our burdens and cares upon Him (1 Pet 5:7) He lightens our load and grants us His rest and peace (Mat 11:28-30; Phil 4:6-7). He becomes our Bread of satisfaction. Don’t let food become your god! (Phil 3:9)…whose god is their belly…

Food is good. God made it. God gave us taste buds to enjoy food. It brings people together in fellowship and harmony. Most of the feasts of Jehovah centered around food. We see Jesus eating with His disciples. We’ll even be feasting in heaven! So when it comes to food let’s not destroy. Let’s enjoy…the way God intended!

Louie

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INSIDE OUT HEALTH - Part I

2011-03-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

INSIDE OUT HEALTH – Part I

(1 Cor 6:19-20) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Today begins a three-part discussion about Christians and health. Why am I emphasizing the things of the body when it’s our spiritual life that relates to God? Because the Bible says we are a trichotomy of body, soul, and spirit. (1 Thes 5:23) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And what affects your body can affect your soul and spirit. What affects your soul and spirit can affect your body. Paul prays that his listeners’ body, soul, and spirit would be preserved blameless until the Lord’s coming. So before holistic health there was Biblical holy health!

Paul said to the Corinthians that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament there was the Temple in Jerusalem. Under the new covenant it is the temple of our body where the Spirit dwells. We belong to God. We were bought at a price (the precious blood of Jesus – 1 Pet 1:18-19). As a result we are to glorify God in our body and our spirit.

Our bodies are an expression of who we are. As believers we are called to do God’s will and the works He has ordained for us from before the foundation of the world (Eph 2:10). It takes a body to do that. So as we take care of our bodies we are taking care of that vessel of honor so it can be useful for the Master (2 Tim 2:20-21). When I realized this it changed my life. I was so busy living life and taking care of others that I neglected my own health. I loved God and wanted to serve Him by serving and sacrificing for others. My body, mind, and spirit took its toll and I was a vessel beginning to crack and fall apart. The Lord opened my eyes to the fact that when I take the time to invest in my health it is not selfish. In fact, it really means I am taking the time to fine tune my body so it can be even more effective to serve others.

I have come to the conclusion that we have a stewardship over our bodies and a scriptural mandate to take care of them. We can neglect our bodies but eventually it will catch up to us and we will have to pay. We keep up our homes, our cars, our computers, but what about our bodies? We only have one of them. If this one goes then I don’t have another one in the closet I can use.

So what does it take to get our bodies in shape? It takes what I call an Inside Out approach. That means the Spirit of God will open your eyes to the need for health and then give you the power to take the steps you need to take. (Phil 2:13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. You won’t fuss about what you have to do. You’ll be excited to make the changes from the Inside Out. It’s a lifestyle change instead of a temporary fix for your health. You will make changes not just to fit into that swimsuit this summer or to look good at the graduation or reunion. It’s a change for life!

Most people approach health from the Outside In. They go on fad diets and exercise like crazy only to gain their weight back after they reach their goal. This is a law approach: (Col 2:23) These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in…neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

I am very excited to share more about Inside Out health in terms of food and exercise. Get ready for change!

Louie

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GIANTS

2011-03-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GIANTS

(Numb 13:33) There we saw the giants…and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight…

It’s funny how when you’re a kid you’re always looking up at people. You couldn’t wait to grow up and get taller and match up to the size of others. It felt good to be an adult and look at people eye to eye. But then we found out that there were still giants in the land. But this time they weren’t tall people so much as towering circumstances in our lives. Situations that were large and overwhelming. Defiant ogres that struck fear in our hearts and made us want to run. Where do you turn when your state of affairs glare down at you and make you feel as small as a grasshopper?

God told Israel it was time to enter the Promised Land. So they sent spies from Kadesh Barnea to search out the land and bring back a report. It was truly a land flowing with milk and honey and they even brought back some of the tasty fruit of the land. But then a majority of the spies emphasized the fact that there were giants in the land so tall they felt like grasshoppers in comparison. This bad report frightened the heart of the congregation of Israel who then developed a spirit of unbelief. God got so mad at them that He promised that only their sons and daughters would enter the land. The rest would perish in the wilderness. Israel wandered another thirty-eight years until this literally came to pass. (Num 13-14; Heb 3-4)

Contrast this with young David. He was visiting his brothers one day on the battlefield and heard Goliath defy the armies of Israel. This outcry sunk king Saul and his soldiers in a paralyzing panic. But David told king Saul he could take the hulk down. As a shepherd boy he had delivered many a sheep from the lion and the bear. What could this uncircumcised Philistine do? Saul turned David loose on this formidable enemy and he took him down with sling and stone! David then went over to the fallen giant and cut his head off. This rallied the troops who then chased and defeated the whole camp of the Philistines! (1 Sam 17)

What was the difference between David and king Saul? Saul saw Goliath as bigger than himself. David saw God as bigger than Goliath. Listen to what Isaiah says about the vastness of God: (Isa 40:12) Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? (Isa 40:15) Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. (Isa 40:22) It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And ITS INHABITANTS ARE LIKE GRASSHOPPERS, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

What about those giants in your life right now? Will you be like the children of Israel and choose unbelief over faith? Will you be like Saul who was petrified with fear over Goliath? Or will you be like David and size up your circumstances to the bigness of God and speak boldly to that menacing monster in your life?: (1 Sam 17:45-47) Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

Will you believe? (Eph 1:19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…

Louie

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BAPTISM

2011-03-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

What a great baptism we had last Sunday afternoon at Mike & Jackie Machuga's house in Norco. The spa was heated up real nice and hungry souls for Jesus came in the water one by one. Then we had a great time of food and fellowship. Nobody wanted to leave! Here are a few pics and videos. Enjoy!

(Acts 10:47) “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

(2 Cor 5:17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

2011-03-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

(Mark 10:7-9) ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Cheryl and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary so the theme of marriage is fresh on my mind. My recollections of this beautiful creature coming down the aisle to put her hand in mine for life evokes emotions that place me back in time instantly. Then the honeymoon up and down the scenic coast of California. Back to set up our new dwelling and then off to work. A few years later our first child and then another down the line. Both girls beautiful like their mom. Early struggles, patient perseverance, step by step building a life, a family, making that contribution to our society. Overcoming adversity, setbacks, discouragement. Rising out of the ashes to build again.

On our recent overnight getaway Cheryl and I were discussing about did we ever really think through those wedding vows we repeated to each other? And then to look back three decades later and to see that all those scenarios would come to pass in our marriage and family.

For better for worse: (Job 2:10) …Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”…

For richer for poorer: (Phil 4:12-13) I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

In sickness and in health: (James 5:15) And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up…

No one has a perfect marriage. Even long termers will tell you it’s a lot of work. But God made marriage not only to work but also to last. Here’s a few things we’ve learned along the way:

AVOID PRIDE. Stay humble because the minute you think you’re better or higher than your mate you set yourself up for failure. (Pro 16:18) Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. Believe the best in him or her, even during those friction times. Never think of your spouse as the enemy because what you believe makes for that reality. (1 Cor 13:7-8) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never fails…

LEARN TO FORGIVE. You’re going to get hurt with the one you live with. Just think of marriage: Two sinners under one roof! Expect the ouch at times. But don’t hang on to the bitterness. Get mad and then get glad! (Eph 4:26) “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.

STAY LOYAL. That’s the “till death us do part” of the vows. (Ruth 1:16-17)…For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

A good marriage takes three. Husband, wife, and Jesus. Then you can say…HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

Louie

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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY YARD SALE

2011-03-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Today was the yard sale for Calvary Chapel Norco Children's Ministry. The church body really responded and cleaned out their clutter and brought the items over to Bruce & Phyllis' house in Norco. Many items were sold benefitting the Children's Ministry needs. Thanks to everyone pitching in. God always provides!!

Hans & Deborah

Phyllis with the joy of the Lord

Funny video of Asyhia.

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Deut 6:6-9
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

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MORMONISM

2011-03-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

MORMONISM

During the 1820s, Joseph Smith worked as a farm laborer and developed his religious ideas, inspired by supernatural encounters. After 1827, by his own account, he visited yearly a book written in a hieroglyphic script on golden plates buried in a nearby hill. The book’s location, he said, had been disclosed to him by an angel (Moroni). In 1830 he completed the “translation” of these plates and published the Book of Mormon, which he believed to be a religious record of the ancient inhabitants of North America. Smith said that Jesus informed him that he should join none of the churches, for they were all wrong, and that Jesus would use Smith to re-establish the true Christian religion to the earth. On April 6, 1830, he organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

With his newly published book, Smith obtained followers, and a few years later they all left New York for Ohio in the pursuit to find a home for the religion. Smith and his group were forced to move on from Ohio to Missouri, where they were pushed out by locals mostly due to politics and the fact that most followers of Smith were abolitionists, which went against the current view of most Missourians of the time. They moved on to Illinois, where Smith was killed by local militia in 1844. Brigham Young was chosen as the next leader, and he led the group to Utah where it is centered today. Membership today is 13 million and is considered the fastest growing and most successful cult in the history of the United States, and perhaps the world.

Some see Mormonism as a unique Christian denomination. Others see it as a dangerous Christian cult. Examine the following main beliefs and compare them to scripture to make your own decision:

GOD: Mormons believe after you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god. The Bible says: (Deu 6:4) “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

TRINITY: Joseph Smith taught that Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Ghost were “three distinct personages and three Gods.” The Bible teaches God is three Persons, yet one God. (Mat 28:19)…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

JESUS: The Mormon church views Jesus and Satan as spirit brothers and sons of God. God put forth His plan of salvation for the world, and Satan proposed his own plan. Jesus accepted the Father's plan and offered to implement it as the Savior. The Bible teaches: (John 1:1-3) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

BIBLE: The Mormons believe that the canon of Scripture is not closed and that “modern revelation is necessary.” They have other books they deem authoritative. The Bible restricts inspiration to the scriptures of the historical Christian faith: (2 Tim 3:16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… Christians are to “…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3)

SALVATION: Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse mankind from all sins and good works are necessary for salvation. The Bible says: (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

“If it’s true, it’s not new. If it’s new, it’s not true.” Don’t taint the paint. There aint no latter day saints.

Louie

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GOD'S WORK, GOD'S WAY

2011-03-02T22:29:00.001-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOD’S WORK, GOD’S WAY

(Luke 5:5) But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing…

Do you ever feel like you’ve worked so hard at something and have gotten nowhere? Have you ever labored and toiled and have gained no further ground than when you first started? Have you ever invested in people and they haven’t moved one inch forward than when you first started putting into their lives? Then you must be frustrated and tired! It’s time to learn a very important lesson. It’s time to do God’s work, God’s way.

Peter was no doubt irritated. He had fished all night and caught nothing. He came in exhausted. He had labored with wearisome effort and didn’t have one fish to show for it. Now it was time to clean the nets and go home with nothing to report to the wife. Jesus came along the shores of Galilee and began to teach. The crowds were large and were pressing Him. He saw Peter’s boat and asked to be put out a little from the land so He could teach the multitudes from the vessel. When He had stopped speaking he instructed Peter to launch out into the deep and let down his net for a catch. Peter replied he had fished all night and came up empty but that at Jesus’ word he would let down the net.

Wow! Peter caught so many fish his net began to break. Others in an adjoining boat came to his rescue. Now both boats began to sink because of the weight. When Peter saw it he fell at Jesus’ knees and told Jesus he wasn’t worthy. Jesus answered and told Peter he would fish for men’s souls from now on. When the boats came in they all were so impressed that they left all and followed Jesus.

Do you ever feel like Peter? Laboring so hard and not much to show for it? Do you feel like giving up? What’s the sense of going on? You’ve been contemplating throwing in the towel and moving on elsewhere where it’s not such a fight? Have you been toiling all night and have caught nothing? Then learn to do God’s work, God’s way.

God has a work for all of us to do. Once we figure out what that work is we joyfully commence on a course of service. But after a while we find things getting harder and more resistant. So we put in more effort thinking that that is the what is needed. But things don’t change. Then we try working smarter. We start angling and jangling and then end up dangling. We end up getting so twisted up that God has to untangle us. We then turn to the Lord in utter futility. Then the voice of wisdom comes to us. It’s time now to do God’s work, God’s way.

It’s not only what we do for the Lord, it’s how we do it. Think of the task you have been assigned to in life. That job. That ministry. That family. That project. Your studies. Or whatever duty it is. Are you approaching that responsibility in your own effort or are you relying on your God’s strength? Does your attitude sync or stink? That’s usually the indicator. God wants us to enjoy the work of our hands (Isa 65:22). If you can’t whistle while you work then there’s a thistle in the irk.

Doing God’s work, God’s way is the light yoke Jesus promised. (Mat 11:28-30). Find new power in the Holy Spirit! (Acts 1:8) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you… (Zech 4:6) ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.

It’s not working harder or smarter, it’s doing God’s work, God’s way. May your joy be full…and your nets too!

Louie

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OPTIMISM VERSUS PESSIMISM - HALF FULL?

2011-02-26T10:56:00.000-08:00

*The following is a devotion from my pastor friend Julio Romano. What a challenge. Lord help us to say the glass is half full...and drink of Your pleasure!!

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OPTIMISM VERSUS PESSIMISM
(Pastor Julio Romano - Christian Family Center – Corona, CA)

• Optimism Defined

- Everyone has a perspective or an attitude in how they see the world and everything in it.

- The optimist always looks on the bright side. He believes all will work out for the good.

- The optimist has a favorable view of circumstances and situations.

• Pessimism Defined

- This person has a negative perspective (doom and gloom).

- The pessimist takes the worst view regarding current affairs.

- This person tends toward worry and fear and generally believes things will get worse.

• God is an optimist

- God was an optimist prior to creation when only good existed.

- God created in wisdom yet permitted evil to exist. - Proverbs 8:14,22, 27 "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom ... The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old ... When He prepared the heavens, I was there ... "

- After sin came into existence, God was optimistic. He had a plan of salvation.

- In the end God's Kingdom has predominance over evil, All evil will be destroyed.

- God said all creation was good including man, who God knew would fall into sin, The creation of man was good because God had purpose to save him from sin. Genesis 1:31 "And God saw everything that was made, and, behold it was very good."

• The Christian must be an optimist

- God is an optimist. He is our example.

- We are to live by faith. Pessimism is the opposite of faith.

- God promises all will turn out for good. The optimist believes that in the end all will turn out well. - Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

• The optimist must be consistent

- The Israelites were optimistic after the exodus from Egypt. After three days without water they became pessimistic.

- Christians can be optimistic when all is well but if trails or suffering come they can become pessimistic.

• The Essence of optimism

- God can turn an evil into something good that will further His purpose. God will never allow a negative to exist unless He is going to turn it into a positive.

- God's word commands us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). This is only possible for the optimist.

• The Essence of pessimism

- It leads to worry, fear and complaining which is sin before God - Robs a person of joy and peace.

- The pessimist will be more passive and lack motivation.

- The ten spies that went to view the promise land were pessimistic. They had unbelief and lacked faith (Numbers 13:26-33).

• Creation and the optimistic perspective

- The universe was the best possible one God could create. God is all knowing, all powerful, providential, and all wise.

- The rebellion of man and angelic beings cannot hinder God's eternal purpose.

- God's eternal purpose: the ultimate predominance of good over evil in the universe.

• An optimistic perspective toward evil

- All evil has been conquered at the cross of Christ. In the end of time all evil will be done away with.

- An evil is temporal.

- Scripture teaches that in the end God and His people win over evil in all forms. In the process leading to the end Christians often get upset in regard to the spread and influence of evil. Since all evil is destroyed in the end we can be optimistic now regarding evil.

• The danger of pessimism

- Can lead to depression, self-pity, worry, and fear.

- One person with a pessimistic attitude can have a negative effect on others. The ten spies that were pessimistic about entering the promise land created fear in the entire nation of Israel.

- Some believe we must be well informed and realistic and that being pessimistic is not harmful Yet these individuals can he tormented with worry and fear.

- The pessimist can tend toward being inactive and defeatist.

- Pessimism can affect relationships, health, finances, etc.

***

THE CALL TO THE MINISTRY

2011-02-23T22:26:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE CALL TO THE MINISTRY

So you’ve been feeling a call to the ministry and it won’t go away? You want to serve God with your life and reach the world for Christ? You have an undying passion to serve the Lord’s sheep? Then the Lord might be calling you to the ministry. But before you take the next step consider what the ministry entails:

ORDINATION: (Jer 1:5) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” If God has called you to the ministry then He also ordains you for the ministry. He furnishes the calling of the heart, the Spirit’s power for service, and the gifts you need for the ministry that lies ahead.

PREPARATION: (1 Tim 4:15) Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. As you wait for that door to open in the future, prepare yourself now. Begin with your personal walk and devotional life. You can only lead someone as far as you have gone yourself. Then start serving your local church body and immediate community. Get involved in various ministries so you can get a taste of what specific area you might be called to. Succeed and fail in small arenas before you make an impact in larger spheres.

DESTINATION: (Rev 3:8) “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. God knows where you will serve. Wait on Him and let Him show you. Don’t force the doors open ( you’ll be sorry!). Get the confirmations you need (scripture…God’s peace…circumstances lining up…godly counsel). You can’t trust your flesh so don’t try to make it happen…let it happen in the Lord. You always know when a shoe fits comfortably so wait for that perfect fit from Him.

MOTIVATION: (Mat 23:11) But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Now you’re in the ministry. What attitude should you have? Be a servant. People are not there to serve you and build your kingdom. It is the Lord whom we serve and we serve Him by serving His sheep. Being a good shepherd includes tending the flock God has given you by feeding, guiding, nurturing, protecting, and warning them. Keep your love levels high and maintain a good attitude at all times. Remember you represent the Chief Shepherd!

DETERMINATION: (Heb 12:2) …who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame… The ministry is harder than you think. It requires tremendous sacrifice. Some have not been willing to pay the price so they opted out of the ministry for something else. Count the cost now. Then with determination never give up. The devil will try to get you to quit in a multitude of ways but remember that discouragement is his most common tool. Don’t give in!

MULTIPLICATION: (2 Tim 2:2) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Invest in others so they can further the work and also for when you have finished your race and have gone to be with the Lord.

GLORIFICATION: (1 Pet 5:4) and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. The ministry has much challenge but it also has much reward. There is no joy like serving Jesus! People are the only thing you can take with you to heaven. It’s the best investment you can make! If God has called you to the ministry…don’t stoop to be a king! (C.H. Spurgeon)

Louie

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WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON A CHRISTIAN?

2011-02-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

A GODLY HERITAGE

(Psa 61:5) …You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.

Happy birthday George Washington! This week is your birthday and the kids even have the day off of school for President’s Day! Oh, but we remember you for so much more. Along with many of our founding forefathers you have given to us a godly heritage. Unprincipled men are trying to rewrite history to say you did not fear God but we know history is clear on this matter:

FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON'S PRIVATE PRAYER BOOK. "O most glorious God...Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit…Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy Son Jesus Christ…Thou gavest thy Son to die for me, and hast given me assurance of salvation..."

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 1754 – 1763 - Washington was the only officer not shot off of his horse. He found four bullet holes in his clothes and he was not wounded. He stated, " By the all powerful dispensations of providence, I've been protected beyond all human probability or expectation: for I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot from under me." (The account of this battle appeared in American textbooks for nearly 150 years, but hasn't been seen in one for over 40 years.)

EXCERPT FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS: Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports…reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

So thank-you George. We don’t have a dollar of your money but we have been enriched by your legacy. There’s a battle going on for America’s morals currently but you still are a major figure we look up to and your face is still on our currency. They’re trying to take God out of everything but we are praying to the Lord that your strong example will prevail and that we will not cash in our godly heritage in exchange for our own selfish ways and pride. There are still some of us who believe what the scriptures say…Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Prov 14:34)

A godly heritage…pass it on!

Louie

==============

Some extra thoughts about our nation's godly heritage:

(1 Ki 18:37) "Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again."

Quotes from our forefathers:

- President George Washington wrote; "I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States: and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1781 - "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."

- Benjamin Franklin: Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787 - And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived for a long time, 81 years; and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

- John Adams: " …Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.”

- Abraham Lincoln: " … I know the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer, that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side."

------

Since the Supreme Court banned school prayer in 1963:

- the murder rate tripled;

- Violent crime went up 544%;

- Prior to 1963, divorce had been declining for 15 consecutive years. After 1963, the divorce rate more than doubled;

- unwed birth rates 10-14 years of age shot up 553% by 1983;

- Sexually transmitted disease rates (15-19 years of age range) shot up 226% by 1975;

- the percent of children living in fatherless households increased from 6% to 40%.

Want to study more about America's godly heritage? Check out: http://www.wallbuilders.com/

Let's say a prayer today for our nation! (1 Tim 2:1-3) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

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A THROUGH Z PRAYER FOR CCNORCO

2011-02-17T10:05:00.000-08:00

CCNORCO PRAYER DAY

Cheryl fasted all media, emails, texting, and phone calls and devoted herself to prayer and God's Word on the CCNorco Fasting and Prayer. She prayed A through Z for our church. This is what she came up with. I thought I would share it with you. Be blessed!!

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A......Atmosphere......Hebrews 13:1 "let brotherly love continue."

B.......Building...........2 Chron. 2:13 "and now I have sent a skillful man, Endowed w/ understanding, Huram, my master Craftsman."

C.......Character........Romans 5:3-4"tribulation produces perseverance, Character, and hope"

D.......Defense...........2 Samuel 22:31 "God's way is perfect, His word Is proven, He is a shield to all who trust in Him"

E........Energy............2 Samuel 22:30 "For by You I can run against a Troop; by my God I can leap over a wall."

F.........Faithful..........Proverbs 20:6 "Most men will each proclaim his Own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?

G.......GODness..........Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit, a broken and contrite heart"

H.......Health.............Proverbs 3:7-8 "Do not be wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord, depart from evil. It will be health To your flesh and strength to your bones."

I.......Inspiration.......Isaiah 41:6-7 "Everyone Helped his neighbor and Said to his brother, "be of good courage!" So the Craftsman encouraged the goldsmith"

J.......Justice.............Psalm 25:8-9 "He teaches sinners in His way, The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way."

K.......Knowledge........Colossians 2:3"In whom are hidden all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

L.......Love.................Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and With all your strength."

M......Mother............Matthew 23:37 "Oh Jerusalem, the one who kills The prophets and stones those I have sent to Her, how often I wanted to gather your children Together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her Wings, but you were not willing."

N......No Other..........Deuteronomy 6:14 "You shall not go after other god's, the god's of the peoples who are all Around you."

O......Open................Luke 24:45 "And He opened their understanding That they may comprehend the scriptures."

P.......Pride...............Proverbs 11:2 "when pride comes, then comes Shame; but with the humble is wisdom."

Q......Quietness........Ecclesiastes 9:17 "Words of the wise, spoken Quietly, should be heard, rather than the shout Of a ruler of fools."

R......Righteousness..Proverbs 21:21 "He who follows righteousness and Mercy, finds life, righteousness and honor."

S......Salvation..........Matthew 21:9 "Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!"

T......Trust...............Matthew 12:21 "And in His name Gentiles will Trust."

U......Under.............Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is your Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will trust out the enemy from before you, and Will say, Destroy!"

V......Victory...........1 John 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcomes The world. And this is the victory that has Overcome the world...our FAITH."

W.....Water...........Proverbs 5:15 "Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well."

X......Examine........Psalm 26:2 "Examine me, oh Lord, and prove me. Try my mind and my heart."

Y......Youth............1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but Be an example to the believers in word, conduct, Spirit, faith, purity."

Z.....Zebulun.........Deuteronomy 33:18 "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going Out."

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

2011-02-16T22:07:00.001-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

(Exo 20:3-17) “You shall have no other gods before Me…You shall not make for yourself a carved image…You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain…Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…Honor your father and your mother…You shall not murder…You shall not commit adultery…You shall not steal…You shall not bear false witness…You shall not covet…

After the Israelite’s Exodus from Egypt God called Moses up to the top of Mt. Sinai and gave him the Ten Commandments for His people to follow (Exo 20; Deu 5). They were written by the finger of God on the front and back of stone tablets (Deu 9:10). The first four commandments relate to man’s relationship to God. The following six relate to man’s relationship to others. The laws that follow in the book of Exodus all relate back to at least one of these commandments.

God’s people responded positively to the law of God. In fact they told Moses “…All that the Lord has spoken we will do…” (Exo 19:8) But before Moses came down from the mountain, His people were committing idolatry with the golden calf (Exo 32). What did Moses do when he saw Israel breaking the commandments? (Exo 32:19) So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses’ anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. They broke the law so Moses broke the stone tablets. Later on they were written again by the grace and mercy of God (Deu 10:1-2).

The Ten Commandments have been the basis for our system of laws and government since the beginning. Unfortunately they are being taken out of the classroom and courtroom. No wonder we have the problems we do in our country! We have forgotten that they are the Ten Commandments…not the Ten Suggestions! America’s foundation is eroding. (Psa 11:3) If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

God said blessings would follow if His commandments were obeyed. He also said curses would follow if they were not obeyed. (Deu 11:26-28) “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God… As you follow Israel in the Old Testament this plays out a multitude of times. But they just didn’t get it. But don’t be too hard on them. Isn’t this the way we are even today? We always seem to test God and His commandments and learn afresh that His laws never change.

The Bible teaches that no man can keep the law and be saved. (Rom 3:20) Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight… So what is the purpose of the law then? Paul answers that question: (Gal 3:24) Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. On the negative side the law shows me I’m a lawbreaker and therefore under condemnation. But on the positive side it plunges me onto the mercy of God for salvation through Christ. Now the laws of God are written on the tablets of our hearts and we can fulfill them through the power of His Spirit that resides in us.

Welcome to the law of love! (Mat 22:35-40) Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Rom 13:10)…love is the fulfillment of the law.

Louie

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! - YOU ARE LOVED

2011-02-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

YOU ARE LOVED!

(1 John 3:1) Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

Have you heard the greatest news on earth? YOU ARE LOVED! The Father loved you so much He sent His only Son to die on the cross for you. Now how does that make you feel? He ever lives to love you and nobody can love you like Jesus!

Are you single with no prospects for a meaningful relationship? Nobody can love you like Jesus!

Are you married but don’t feel close or connected with your husband or wife? Nobody can love you like Jesus!

Are you in your golden years but don’t sense that support and affirmation you were expecting? Nobody can love you like Jesus!

Have you recently experienced a falling-out with a good friend and your heart is aching? Nobody can love you like Jesus!

Do you feel alone, lost, lonely, separated, distant, hurt, disappointed, anxious, depressed, oppressed, even possessed with a sense of sadness? Like nobody cares? Like nobody gives a hoot? That if you died just the graveyard gardener would attend your funeral? I think we’ve all felt a portion or part of the above at one time another. You might feel that way even now. But you’ve got to know one thing . . . YOU ARE LOVED and nobody can love you like Jesus!

Feast your heart on these love letters from the Lord from His Word:

• (Jer 31:3) The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

• (Rom 5:8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

You are loved! How fulfilling, how satisfying, how healing, how glorious! It’s the message the world needs to hear. (Rom 2:4)

Don’t let the devil get you down with his lies that no one cares because you are loved by Jesus. And His love is extravagant! (Eph 3:17-19) And God’s people care if you will give them a chance to demonstrate the amazing love of God to you (John 13:34).

Louie

P.S. You are loved!

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IN GOD WE TRUST

2011-02-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

'In God We Trust' promoter undeterred by opponents

12:22 AM PST on Sunday, February 13, 2011

By BRIAN ROKOS
The Press-Enterprise
--------------------------------------------

Jacquie Sullivan says her campaign, first and foremost, is about love of country.

Those working on her behalf are patriots, she says.

Sullivan, fueled by optimism and certainty and her religious upbringing, is attempting to persuade every city in the United States to post the national motto, "In God We Trust," in its council chambers.

She has been successful in Norco, which expects by Wednesday to be the first city in Riverside County to put such a sign on the wall. Eastvale's council considered the idea last week, San Bernardino County supervisors voted Dec. 14 to put the motto in their chamber, and the Yucaipa council has scheduled a vote for Monday.

"I felt it would be good for communities and good for our country as a whole," said Sullivan, 71, a four-term Bakersfield councilwoman and retired real estate agent.

So far, 165 municipalities -- including 79 in California -- have agreed.

Story continues below

But even in some of those cities, residents spoke against the action. And a national organization tried to persuade Norco to reject Sullivan's proposition.

Sullivan said she was first exposed to religion as a 7-year-old when her grandmother took her to church and shared a love of singing hymns "at the top of her lungs."

"I believed everything I learned," Sullivan said in a phone interview. "And of course, it is the truth."

Decades later, Sullivan was sitting in her office listening to the radio -- a Friday afternoon, she recalled -- when a news report described protesters' efforts to remove "In God We Trust" from a public building.

The debate

"I was just offended that they were offended," Sullivan said. "I love the motto. It is very important to the history of the country. It immediately came to mind that they were working to take it down, and I would work to put it up."

She thought Bakersfield would be a good first test. In January 2002, her council colleagues voted to post the motto above the city seal.

"I just knew I had a pretty good idea," she said. "I felt it would be true across the country."

She founded In God We Trust America, a nonprofit organization to promote her mission, in 2004.

"In God We Trust" was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956. It is printed on currency and engraved on coins.

Some say endorsement of the motto by the federal government and cities such as Norco is unconstitutional.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national organization that counts thousands of atheists among its 25,000 members, says its purpose is to protect the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.

In a letter to Norco Mayor Berwin Hanna, co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor urged council members to vote against the motto. She wrote that "the motto was first adopted during the Cold War as a reaction to the purported 'Godlessness' of Communism."

Nevertheless, Norco's council voted, 4-0, to post the motto. A sign is close to completion.

"I was thinking we need to get back to our basics and moral values in this country," Norco Councilman Harvey Sullivan said then. He proposed Norco's resolution. He is not related to Jacquie Sullivan.

In Orange County, when Fountain Valley's council decided to put up the sign in 2008, two council members dissented.

"This is not a place we should be discussing theology," Councilman Gus Ayer said then.

Jacquie Sullivan said opponents just don't understand.

" 'In God We Trust' is intended to encourage and inspire, which certainly we need," she said. "We are not promoting religion per se, but all that the motto stands for. We are promoting patriotism, which to me is love of God and love of country."

Patrick Elliott, a Freedom From Religion staff attorney, said many people who don't believe in God would object.

"She's redefining the term 'patriotism.' She's saying it is love of God. Twenty-five percent of our members are veterans, and I think they would disagree," said Elliott, speaking by phone from Madison, Wis.

He cautioned cities against posting the motto.

"They are going to be challenged," he said. "I think the courts will rightly judge these to be religious statements."

So far, that has not happened.

Last September, a federal judge dismissed a Freedom From Religion lawsuit that said engravings of "In God We Trust" and the "Pledge of Allegiance" at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center were unconstitutional.

The judge, without ruling on the merits of the argument, rejected the lawsuit because Freedom From Religion did not have legal standing to bring the claim.

THE CAMPAIGN

Sullivan is undeterred by any objections. "They don't bother me at all," she said, referring to Freedom From Religion. "I'm very focused on what our mission is all about."

She acknowledges that few people have volunteered to assist her. Where Sullivan has people pushing her campaign, Arkansas (69 municipalities posting the motto) and Georgia (10), she has been especially successful.

Sullivan provides them with the e-mail packet she sent to every city council in California. It includes a sample resolution and a letter from the Pacific Justice Institute stating that the motto would pass a legal challenge.

"I consider them patriots," Sullivan said. "They love God and they love our country."

Derek Lopez, 39, is an unemployed former bank worker and self-described American history buff who has lived in Eastvale for six years. He telephoned Sullivan after listening to her promote the country's motto on a podcast. They spoke for two hours.

"She was so energetic," Lopez said. "It just really got me pumped up for what she was doing. I immediately wanted to jump on board."

Lopez has addressed council members in 4-month-old Eastvale several times about the motto. He said in a phone interview that he is optimistic.

"I wanted it to be part of the tapestry of national pride. ... Just be an all-American city."

Reach Brian Rokos at 951-368-9660 or brokos@PE.com

U.S. Motto

These Inland municipalities have approved posting "In God We Trust" in public buildings:

Adelanto

Barstow

Chino

Chino Hills

Colton

Highland

Norco

Ontario

San Bernardino County

Victorville

These have discussed the proposal in public meetings:

Eastvale

Moreno Valley

Yucaipa

COUPLE'S VALENTINE DINNER

2011-02-12T23:58:00.000-08:00

Our couple's valentine's dinner was such a great blessing from the Lord. We had a private room at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Rancho Cucamonga. We celebrated Jesus' love and the love He gives to us as married couples.

The speakers were James and Kristy Bove from Calvary Chapel Anaheim. The message was right on and spoke to us all. Listen to their message and be blessed!

Here is a video of Mike and Ashley Campbell leading us in worship. Sorry, no pics because the lighting was not good.

Let's keep the married couples in prayer!

Mark 10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

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I LOVE YOU

2011-02-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

I LOVE YOU

(John 21:15) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

Our English language is so limited when it comes to expressing true love. You can say I love tacos, I love Cocker Spaniels, and I love my wife! That put together will never impress your lover, that’s for sure! So to define what true love is it’s best to go to the Greek and dig a little deeper. There are four basic words for love in the Greek language:

EROS - A word that was not actually used in the New Testament but was alluded to. It meant physical passion; its gratification and fulfillment. The Greek word is probably not used in the New Testament because the origin of the word came from the mythical god Eros, the god of love. It is inferred in many scriptures and is the only kind of love that God restricts to a one-man, one-woman relationship within the bounds of marriage. (Heb 13:4) Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

STORGE – Storge means "affection" in ancient and modern Greek. Storge is the natural bond between mother and infant, father, children, and kin. It was rarely used in ancient writings, and then almost exclusively as a description of relationships within the family. The New Testament does not even use the word, except for two occurrences of the negative form, astorgos, translated "without natural affection" (Rom. 1:31; 2 Tim. 3:3).

PHILEO - Phileo love is a love of the affections. In ancient texts, phileo denoted a general type of love, used for love between family and friends. It is delighting to be in the presence of another person you naturally get along with and receive benefit from. The Bible encourages it but it is never a direct command. God never commands phileo since this type of love is based on the feelings. (John 11:3) Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love (phileo) is sick.”

AGAPE - Agape love is God's kind of love. It is seeking the welfare and betterment of another regardless of how we feel. Agape does not have the primary meaning of feelings or affection. Agape is a self-sacrificing love, giving love to all--both friend and enemy. Jesus displayed it when he went to the cross and died for you and me regardless of how He felt. It’s a “one-way” love and keeps on loving even when that love is not reciprocated. It wasn’t nails that held Jesus to the cross…it was His agape love!

Agape is used in Matthew 22:39, "Love your neighbour as yourself," and in John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you," and in 1 John 4:8, "God is love." It is also used in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Of course the greatest study of the word agape is in the “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13). Go over there and spend some time in thought and prayer regarding the greatest love of all!

So wouldn’t it be better to say I love you and then take out the trash? Honey, I love you and fill her tank up with gas? Honey, I adore you and then take her out to her favorite restaurant? (1 John 3:18) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. Agape love is always on the give. It’s the kind of love God demonstrated by sending the greatest gift He could ever give. God’s answer to “How do I love thee?” is: (John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Therefore let us love (agape) one another!

Louie

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DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER FOR REVIVAL - Thursday, February 10.

2011-02-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

Dear saints,

Please join us for a day of fasting and prayer for revival at CCNorco Thursday, February 10. Then join us Thursday evening at the midweek service at 7pm to pray together before the Bible study. Please listen to last Sunday morning's message on "Waiting Patiently" as we talked about Elijah praying for rain and how it poured after a 3 1/2 year drought. Let's pray for a great outpouring of God's Spirit in these last days. We need it! Let's pray for revival!!

Please read the following SHEPHERD TO SHEEP devotional and review what Biblical fasting is all about:

BIBLICAL FASTING

In the Bible we read about how the Israelites enjoyed the feasts of the Lord in the Old Testament. The gospels also reveal how Jesus ate often in fellowship with others. But when we have a serious concern on our heart or if we as a body have a corporate concern, then it’s time to seek the Lord with fasting. Fasting is a very rewarding experience. May the Lord direct us to fast as the Spirit leads. And I pray the following Bible study will give you insight on scriptural fasting:

Definition - “To go without food for the purpose of seeking God”.

CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT FASTING:

• For guidance (Judges 20:26-28)

• Victory over temptation (Matthew 4:1-2)

• National repentance (1 Samuel 7:5-6)

• Burdened for others (Neh. 1:3-4)

• Personal concerns (1 Samuel 1:7, 10)

• Direction for ministry (Acts 13:1-3)

PITFALLS TO AVOID

• Pride (Neh. 9:1-2; Joel 2:12; Matthew 6:16-18)

• Empty ritualism (Zech. 7:5-7)

• Forgetting true spirituality (Isaiah 58:4-6)

KINDS OF FASTS

• Supernatural fast - No food and no water (Ex. 34:28). Not a normal fast and usually never lasted more than three days (Ezra 10:6-8; Esther 4:16).

• Normal fast - No food but liquids okay and for a time that the Spirit would lead (most common in the Bible).

• Partial fast - Eating lightly (blander food) while abstaining from rich and sweet foods. This is good if you have to keep up your busy and strenuous schedule as Daniel evidently did. Fasting doesn’t have to be all or nothing. (Dan. 10:1-5)

*Please check with your doctor if you have special needs.

How blessed we are to enjoy the food God has graciously and abundantly given to us. And what a blessing it is to go without food for a time when we feel directed to seek the will of the Lord for our lives.

Louie

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INFLUENCE

2011-02-02T21:20:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

INFLUENCE

(1 Cor 11:1) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

We’ll never know the influence we have on one another. And that influence can produce a chain of events that can have untold impact, reaching many. Consider the following:

One day a man by the name of Edward Kimball gathered the nerve to witness and win the soul of a young shoe salesman named D.L. Moody to Christ. D.L. Moody went on to become one of the greatest evangelists in his day. But, do you know the rest of the story? D.L. Moody went to England and worked a profound change in the ministry of F.B. Meyer. F.B. Meyer, with his new evangelistic fervor, influenced J. Wilbur Chapman. Chapman helped in the ministry of converted baseball player Billy Sunday, who had a profound impact upon Mordacai Ham. And Mordacai Ham, holding a revival in North Carolina, led Billy Graham to Christ. And the man who started it all was Edward Kimball, who took seriously Christ's commission to be a witness for Him.

Sometimes we feel like the little guy in a big world who can make no real change in the larger picture. Our culture is celebrity driven. If you’re not a superstar then you won’t go very far. We live our lives out through others because we feel so insignificant in ourselves. But one quiet influence can have far reaching implications.

Timothy felt timid about his effect on others. But Paul told him to pass on what had been passed on to him. (2 Tim 2:2) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Paul had invested in this young man for years. It was time for Timothy to be an influence on others who in turn would influence others themselves.

Think about the people that have been influential in your life. If it wasn’t for them you might not be what you are today. Now you are in a position to be that catalyst to others.

People need someone to believe in them. That’s because most of us do not recognize our own giftedness. When someone recognizes the uniqueness in someone else, it can motivate that person to pursue their God-given talents and make a difference that wouldn’t be there otherwise.

Who is that person in your life that needs your positive influence in Christ? A family member? A friend? A co-worker? It’s usually the person God has already placed right in front of you. Everyone needs encouragement. And in so doing we can start a domino effect of unimaginable consequences.

There is a lack of positive role models in our world today. As a result evil has its way in the lives of many. Bad influences abound. (1 Cor 15:33) Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” That’s why the Bible instructs us to “…not imitate what is evil, but what is good…(3 John 1:11). We are to seek out godly people who can influence us for the good in Christ. (Heb 6:12) …imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Influence. It’s a choice we all have to make. Pursue good influences in your life and watch your life change for the better. Then go out and be a positive influence on someone else. You just might start a chain reaction! (Pro 13:20) He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Louie

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AFRICA MISSION TRIP

2011-01-31T17:38:00.001-08:00

After our two day delay in Atlanta, Cheryl and I finally made it to Uganda. The airlines lost our baggage again but we trusted God that He would provide for us and we could make do with what we had on. We drove three hours north to Luwero to see Valerie at New Hope Uganda. It was so good to see her. She has been fighting malaria but was gaining strength day by day. She is studying at the institute and learning a lot about ministry to orphans, especially in the context of Africa.

This is where Valerie lives!

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This is inside Val's room. Notice some of her Calvary Norco items: A picture of Mission Training School, Gracie and her balloons, church bulletin, and through the Bible in a year program.

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Cheryl and Valerie helping aunt Betty sort beans.

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Pastor Rony and wife Blessing. Good friends of Valerie.

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We spent time clearing weeds one morning for planting.

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Valerie is overjoyed at Ryan's love gift. We brought it from California. Our luggage was finally delivered and we were able to present this to her before we left for South Africa. It was hard to say good bye to Valerie but we knew it was time to divide and conquer for the kingdom.

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-----------SOUTH AFRICA----------

We flew 4 1/2 hours to Johannesburg, South Africa to see Jan Pane, one of our GO! missionaries out of Calvary Chapel San Jose, CA. What a joy to see her! She has been here four years and her ministry is to AIDS/HIV orphan children.

Here is Jan visiting the children at Christ Church where she lived and served two months.

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This video explains about Jan's heart for the township of Mountainview outside of Johannesburg. There is a school there that need much help and Jan does what she can to provide basic needs.

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This pastor Gibson and his wife Dora. We had sweet fellowship with them and their family. Gibson took us around Johannesburg and told us the history of Aparteid. He was apart of this stuggle for racial equality and still has a bullet in his arm.

Gibson took us to the Hector Pieterson museum. We learned so much about the history of Aparteid in South Africa and about Nelson Mandela who suffered and won the cause for equal rights for all in this country.

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Jan attends Calvary Chapel Johannesburg. We attended the midweek service and met some wonderful saints. The church meets in a tent. I had the blessed opportunity to share about the Great Commisson (Mat 28:18-20).

The worship was wonderful!

Pastor Chad and Heather Naaktgeboren. Their sending church is Calvary Chapel First Love in Whittier, CA. They're doing a great work for the Lord. In addition to the church they also have a Christ centered drug and alcohol ministry on the property.

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Jan wanted to take Cheryl and I to Lion Park. It was thrilling to see the native animals where they used to roam freely!

Saying goodbye to Jan at the airport. Always so sad to part from our missionaries...our modern day heroes!

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Thanks to all for your prayers!

You can hear a brief audio of our wonderful trip from last Sunday's message at CCNorco entitled Red Letter Edition.

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SUSPICION

2011-01-31T17:26:00.000-08:00

SUSPICION

(1 Tim 6:4) he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,

Do you ever doubt people's motives? Have you ever wondered if someone had your best interest in mind or not? Are you always on guard about people turning on you or taking advantage of you? Then you might have a bad case of suspicion!

Some of us have had it rough in life. And for some it started at a young age. We grew up kind of wise and street-smart well beyond our years. We had to. We learned early on that life is not a Disneyland fantasy atmosphere. We discovered that you had to take care of yourself because if you didn't people would mistreat you and take from you. Better build a wall of defense before you get hurt. Never trust anybody. Everyone is a suspect. Keep your eyes open. No one is that kind of heart. Everyone has an angle. Don't be the next victim.

It's true we are to be discerning in life. (Phil 1:9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. We are not to be naïve and dumb. (Pro 14:15) The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. But the Bible tells us that the love of God is real and can manifest in a fallen world and through a sinner's heart. (Rom 5:5) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Therefore we can believe the best in each other because we believe God's love can flow from one heart to another. …(love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…(1 Cor 13:7-8). Because of this we have nothing to fear or shy away from. We can overcome our trust issues because we believe God's love is the most powerful and healing force on earth.

Poor Saul. The man was riddled with suspicion. He didn't trust anybody…especially David. Saul had let doubt and fear dominate his life. As a result he became insecure and paranoid. He jealously guarded his position of power. When David showed himself valiant in battle the people praised David more than Saul. (1 Sam 18:7) So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”

One day David was playing harp in the king's presence. Suspicion overcame him and he sought to strike before he was stricken. (1 Sam 18:10-11) And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul's hand. And Saul cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice. Saul never did recover. He sank deeper and deeper in this quicksand of quicksilver until he was no more.

Stop looking at people as suspects and start viewing them as prospects of God's love. Don't be deceived, don't be naïve, but believe the best. Be rooted and grounded in God's love and enjoy people and the great relationships you can have in Christ!

(Mark 12:31) And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Louie

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FIRST LOVE

2011-01-20T23:28:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

FIRST LOVE

(Rev 2:4-5) …you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…

We all admire a fervent love. To see a young couple falling in love, getting engaged and then going to the altar is so exciting. And not only for them but for others to observe. But as time goes on, though, the struggles of life seem to put a damper on that first love. You see couples surviving instead of thriving. It’s sad because you remember how fond they were of each other. That’s like our love for the Lord. It usually starts out with that first love glow and then it eventually grinds down to a lifeless slow. The thrill is gone. Is there any way to get it back?

The Ephesian church was a wonderful church founded by the apostle Paul. Paul had written to them and commended them for their love. (Eph 1:15, 4:16). Now a generation later this energetic and orthodox church is seen as leaving their first love. Their fervent love had cooled. It’s a danger we all are faced with as we continue on in our faith.

It’s interesting how when we lose our first love we seem to replace that love in our hearts with love for other things. We can replace love for God with love of money (1 Tim. 6:10); love of the world (1 John 2:15); relationships (Mat. 10:37; 1 Cor. 7:34); and any other idols of the heart (1 John 5:21). Our heart was meant for love…God’s love. Anything else is just a cheap substitute for the real thing.

Jesus not only rebuked this “loveless church”, He also told them how to correct their problem of the heart. He told them to REMEMBER. They were exhorted to recall their former enthusiasm and how it used to be. This is what marriage counselors often do with couples that have drifted apart. The counselor will ask the couple to describe how they met, their courtship and engagement, and their first year of marriage together. It is common for the two to start warming up to each other as they recollect. We are to recall how it was when we first came to the Lord and how we used to love and serve Christ with a full passion.

Then Jesus said to REPENT. Repent means to change one’s thinking which translates into changing one’s behavior to that new thinking and direction taken. As we remember our first love we are to make that U-turn and go back to retrieve what we have left.

Then Jesus said to do the first works (REPEAT). We are to get back to putting the Lord first in our lives. We are to downgrade everything else to a lower priority. We are to get back to serving the Lord with that original passion and really making a difference for Christ in our world.

In Genesis 35 the Lord leads Jacob back to his first love. (Gen 35:1-3) Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” And that’s exactly what Jacob did. He went back to Bethel (“house of God”) and renewed his love for the Lord.

Does this describe you? Have you left your first love? Then you know the steps back to “Bethel.” Obey the three “R’s” and return to your original passion for Christ. Get the GLOW back and then GO for Jesus! (Eph 3:19) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Louie

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ARRIVED SAFELY TO AFRICA

2011-01-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

Cheryl and I left Monday for Africa to visit our GO! Missionaries serving the Lord there. There was mechanical failure on the airplane door at LAX so we were delayed. This resulted in missing our flight from Atlanta to Africa. We had to stay in Atlanta for two days. The airlines also lost our bags but they came the next day. The airline paid for our hotel and meals. We just took it from the Lord that He wanted us to rest. We saw the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Historical Park.

We left Thursday for Africa and it took three planes to get here. The airlines lost our baggage and it won't be here for 2 1/2 days. Praise the Lord!

(Jms 1:2-4) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

We stayed at a guesthouse outside the Enbebbe, Uganda airport in a African style bed with a mosquito net. We are on our way to visit Valerie who serves at New Hope ministry. We heard internet is sketchy there so we will communicate with you when we can.

Thanks for your prayers. We are praying for you also!

Till the whole world hears,

Louie and Cheryl

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ABORTION

2011-01-12T22:05:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

ABORTION

(Psa 139:15) My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Each year 1.5 million babies are aborted per year in America. That’s about 4,000 babies per day since 1973. If you do the math, you will grieve in your heart. And you know what gets me? How the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade is about the same time we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Now that’s hypocritical to me. You celebrate civil rights for each American citizen and then celebrate a woman’s right to choose to take away the fundamental right of the unborn who cannot speak for themselves. Double-standard! Hello…anybody inside that brain??

It truly is unreasonable how America views abortion. People say it’s just a fetus and not a real person. Again, reasoning breaks down here. You mean to tell me that if you want the child, then it’s a person? And if you made a boo-boo and got pregnant and you weren’t ready for that, then it’s now just tissue, instead of Timmy or Tina? Doesn’t make sense to me. But then I think of the how the Bible says that there would be that reprobate mind in people who don’t know the Lord and they would throw reasoning to the wind for their own convenience and immoral choices (Rom 1:28).

I think the basic argument over abortion is this: When does life begin? At conception? At birth? Somewhere in-between? Listen to what the Bible teaches: (Psa 139:13‑16) For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. {14} I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. {15} My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. {16} Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them…and…(Psa 51:5) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

Look at these scriptures and see God’s intimate knowledge and observation of a child in the womb. Then look at how David said that the human nature of his parents was passed down to him at conception.

An American law doesn’t mean that it is right! We must compare that law to the law of God. God will require of this generation the blood of the unborn: (Gen 4:10) And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. When the prophets walked the land of Israel they cried out against the iniquities of the land very specifically and forcefully. What would a Jeremiah say today as he walked the streets of a major American city? The topic of abortion would no doubt be on his lips along with many other injustices in the land.

Christian, say a prayer now for our country and beg God’s forgiveness and mercy. Let’s cry out to God for the little babies that are whisked away in a mute and sterile and legal holocaust each and every day. How can we be patriotic and say “God bless America” when the silent scream of these children are rising to God every moment of every day in this land of freedom? May God hear our prayer and may the unborn be granted the inherent right to see the light of day and the born (you and I) see the glory of God covering our nation once again.

Louie

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MALL COP

2011-01-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

MALL COP

(Psa 106:3) Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!

It was the end of a long week and I was ready for a break. My family suggested a night out and we hit the mall. When we arrived I headed for the parking structure. I was feeling good and ready for some fun. So when I saw we needed to park up on top and there wasn’t anyone around, I put the petal to the metal. Man, was it thrilling. Like those cop shows that chase the bad guy. Those curves were the best! And the sound effects better than Dolby stereo. One of my daughters said “All right, dad!” The other one told me to slow down. And Cheryl? She kept saying “Honey!” over and over. When we finally made it around the last turn up on the top there stood like a sentinel with an iron gaze…the mall cop!

Well, I slowed down and slinked up to where he was with his hand held out indicating a nice chat was next on the agenda. I rolled down the window and sheepishly offered him salutations. He gave me the third degree and I just sat there taking the lashing. From the gutter of guilt I uttered a feeble apology and then cautiously inched forward, slinking into a parking stall. When we all got out I realized I had been busted by the mall cop!

Now part of me felt like what is the big deal? I work hard and why can’t I release the wild side every now and then? Then the other side of me said that the law is the law and I should have exercised restraint and been a good example to my family and others. And then the verse hit me…Blessed are those who do righteousness at all times. That settled it for me right then and there. Next time I will have to put the brakes on my sudden whimsicalness if it is not found in the wisdom of God.

“At all times.” That’s the challenge. Sometimes doing the right thing is the hard thing when you want to give vent to your passions. You tell yourself why not fudge a little? Your deserve a break. Let your hair down and let it all hang out for a little. You don’t do this all the time. You’ve been under stress and it’s time to loosen up and lighten up. But the Word of God says that each of us should know how to possess our own vessel (1 Thes 4:4). And the fruit of the Spirit is self-control (Gal 5:23). We are to reserve our passion for God and doing the right thing. We are to avoid misplacing our passions into other things that could be damaging.

God gives warnings. A person usually doesn’t fall overnight. It’s one little compromise after another until we are then entangled in sin. We are to heed God’s warnings. He puts His hand out in love and tells us to slow down. Obey. Submit to the right. We can let these warnings go unheeded to our destruction or we can receive correction and enjoy God’s protection. (Pro 10:17) He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray. God’s Word also instructs us to do the right thing: (Psa 19:11) Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.

There is never any vacation from righteousness. Though no one sees, God sees. And we don’t know but that others may be observing or finding out in the future. (Psa 119:112) I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end. (Deu 11:1)“Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.

I’m glad God is not an arbitrary God, acting one way this time and another way another time. (Psa 36:6) Your righteousness is like the great mountains… Lord help us to be like You and do righteousness at all times! It always feels right to do the right thing. And there is never any regret. Now that’s the way to live!

Louie

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

2011-01-01T20:35:00.001-08:00

It's the new year and it's time to get into the Word! Want to know where to start? Take the pastor Louie challenge and start from the beginning and read through the whole Bible in a year! This program averages three chapters a day at the rate of twelve minutes a day. Just think of it...this time next year you would have read through the whole Bible. Print out the handy guide from our resources tab and keep it in the flyleaf of your Bible.

This year let's get the spiritual muscle that we're going to need for all that lies ahead in 2011!

1 John 2:14 ...I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,And you have overcome the wicked one.

PLANS

2010-12-29T22:12:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PLANS

(James 4:13-16) Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Plans. I love making plans. I like something to look forward to and an aim to shoot at. If that is missing from my life I tend to get bored and unmotivated. But when I have a goal I have something to strive for and that makes me live purposeful. But are our plans from God or are we making them up ourselves? Have we sought the Lord on His will for our lives? Or are we assuming that what looks good and attractive is from God? Let’s see what scripture says about making plans in the will of God.

James is referring to the ambitious type who are very idea oriented. Something pops into their head and they run with it. Ideas are great but how important it is to submit them back to the Lord and wait on Him. We must give God the veto rights over our ideas. Perhaps it is from the Lord and He will give us the green light. Maybe the idea is good but for a future time. Or maybe God will say no. Sometimes we don’t wait on the Lord because we are afraid He will say no. But we must remember Father knows best. Perhaps He is trying to save us from some kind of harm or painful results we don’t see. Or maybe He has something better for us!

James tells us our life is short like a vapor that comes and goes so quickly. Isn’t that true? Look how fast your life has gone already. And the older you get the faster time flies! So why would we take the precious time we have here on earth and run our ship off course and hit the rocks? We need to put our life into God’s hands so he can direct our life where He wants it to go. And how do we do that? By always submitting our plans to the will of God. “…not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) “And this will we do, if God permit.” (Heb 6:3) Anything outside of that is boasting, says James, and this matches the wisdom of the wise: Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Pro 27:1)

Do you remember how people came together in the ancient world to build the tower of Babel? God didn’t like them planning outside of Him. He came down and destroyed the tower and confused their languages. (Gen 11) Do you remember David wanting to build a Temple for the Lord and how even Nathan said to go for it? God told Nathan to go back and say it wasn’t for David to build the Temple. It would be for his son (Solomon) to build it. (2 Sam 7) But God did let David at least plan for the Temple which he did by the direction of the Lord: (1 Chr 28:12) and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit…

I like how God instructed Moses about how to build the Tabernacle. He said: And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain. (Exo 25:40) God, in a sense, gave Moses a blueprint to follow and He followed it all the way down the line. The Tabernacle turned out beautiful and functional and lasted many years because Moses obeyed God as to the details.

I don’t have a master plan for my life. But I do have the Master’s plan. What a great way to live! I’m an idea person and I used to run with any notions that entered my head. Sometimes I wouldn’t wait for God and I would fall flat on my face. How much better to make Jesus the Head of all! (Eph 4:15) There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. (Pro 19:21)

Louie

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CHRISTMAS EVE 2010 CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

2010-12-24T21:40:00.001-08:00

Tonight was a very special time together. The children led us through their play about the real meaning of CHRISTmas. God's people responded and the glow of the Spirit was in the room. We trust there were some who said the sinner's prayer to receive Christ in their life. May we learn from the children about true and humble faith in the Lord!

(Luke 18:16) 16But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

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BOXING DAY

2010-12-23T16:40:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BOXING DAY

(Neh 8:10) Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Boxing Day is December 26th of each year. The holiday is celebrated in Australia, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada. The holiday began in England, in the middle of the nineteenth century, under Queen Victoria. Boxing Day (also known as St. Stephen's Day) was a way for the upper class to give gifts of cash, or other goods, to those of the lower classes.

There seems to be two theories on the origin of Boxing Day and why it is celebrated. The first is that centuries ago, on the day after Christmas, members of the merchant class would give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude much like when people receive bonuses today from their employer for a job well done. These gifts, given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, "Boxing Day".

The second thought is that Boxing Day comes from the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season. The contents were distributed amongst the poor by the clergy the day after Christmas.

Today, Boxing Day is spent with family and friends with lots of food and sharing of friendship and love. Government buildings and small businesses are closed but the malls are open and filled with people exchanging gifts or buying reduced priced Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations. Some compare this day to our Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) where retail discounts are plentiful.

To keep the tradition of Boxing Day alive, many businesses, organizations, and families donate their time, services, and money to aid Food Banks and provide gifts for the poor. Or they may choose to help an individual family that is in need.

Personally I had never heard about Boxing Day until I saw it on one of those universal calendars that include holidays from other countries. Don’t tell anyone, but my first thought was that it was a day perhaps in Scotland where they had boxing matches. Later my friend’s wife told me about Boxing Day and what it was and how she celebrated it when she was growing up in England. They probably later laughed their heads off!

But I think the real origin of Boxing Day goes back to Nehemiah’s Day. God’s people were celebrating their return from exile and the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem. Nehemiah and the leaders encouraged them to not mourn or weep after they heard the reading of the law. They were told to have the joy of the Lord and to enjoy God’s blessings He had bestowed on them. They were also reminded to “…send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared…”

When Christmas is over and we see how God has blessed us, let’s remember the poor and share our wealth (Gal 2:10; 1 Tim 6:17-19). Times are tough but there are people out there who are hurting more than we are. And let’s do this not just on Boxing Day but all through the year. It’s not a fight…it’s the right!

Louie

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MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

2010-12-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

(Luke 1:48) For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

In the Christian church Mary spans the gap of veneration to indifference. Christians have been known to either exalt her or ignore her. Amongst fellow believers she has been left out of discussion for fear of dispute. But why set her high or leave her low when the Bible says she was chosen by God to bear the Savior of mankind? Let’s study about Mary and get a proper perspective of her life and calling.

Little is known of Mary’s personal history. Her genealogy is given in Luke 3. She was of the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David (Luke 1:32). She resided at Nazareth. It was there the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah (Luke 1:35). After this she went to visit her relative Elisabeth where she spoke the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:39-56). After three months Mary returned to Nazareth where Joseph was made aware of her divinely ordained condition (Matt. 1:18-25). Soon after this the decree of Augustus (Luke 2:1) required that they should make their way to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). While there she brought forth her firstborn son, who they named Jesus (Matt. 1:25). This was followed by the presentation in the temple, the flight into Egypt, and the family’s eventual return to Nazareth (Matt. 2). During the next thirty years the only recorded event is the family going up to Jerusalem when Jesus twelve years old (Luke 2:41-52).

After the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry not much is recorded of Mary. She was present at the marriage in Cana (John 2). After this we find her at Capernaum (Matt. 12:46-50). The next place we find her is at the cross (John 19:26). From that point John looked after her. She was with the disciples in the upper room after the ascension (Acts 1:14). Some have said John took her to Asia Minor where she died and was buried.

The attributes of Mary are commendable. She was a humble woman who never expected to be chosen for such a role in history. She is seen as a godly woman of character, submissive and serving in the background. She is found praising and pondering. She is a model for women today of humility and obedience to the will of God.

So how did Mary get elevated from her humble position to one of reverence and even worship? Beginning with the adoption of the term 'Mother of God' in the fifth century there were several steps in the development of present-day veneration of Mary (Mariolatry). It was not until 451 A.D. that the dogma of the "perpetual virginity" of Mary (the idea that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life) was made binding upon all Roman Catholics. Then in 1854 A.D. Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception of Mary (the doctrine that Mary was born completely free from original sin). Then in 1954 Pope Pius XII declared the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary (the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her life). Today many Christians pray to Mary and ask favors of her. She is given titles of Mediatrix and Co-Redemtrix.

No doubt Mary today would be appalled in regards to her elevation. She would point to the fact that Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5) and that Christ is the only one who lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25). Only God is to be worshipped and served (Mat 4:10). She is not the mother of God, she is the mother of Jesus. We call her blessed because she was chosen by God from all the other Hebrew young women. Just like we are blessed when we realize we are chosen by God to bring forth Jesus to a lost world.

Louie

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CORONA CARE CHRISTMAS OUTREACH 2010

2010-12-17T20:23:00.001-08:00

Today was the GO! Team outreach to Corona Care Convalesent Hospital. This faithful team shares every Friday morning but this was their special Christmas outreach. There was lots of special music from lots of talented people. Lives were touched with the Christmas story about Jesus and His love for all.

(1 Cor 13:13) ...the greatest of these is love.

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WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS BRUNCH 2010

2010-12-11T20:19:00.001-08:00

This years theme was "Joyful Service" with the emphasis from Psalms 100:2 "Serve the Lord with gladness..."

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Kelsey Monteith and her fellow students from the School of Worship lead worship.

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There was a sweet and gentle presence of the Spirit during worship. The women were absorbing the love of the Lord like a warm wave over their souls.

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Cheryl teaching and lifting praise to the Lord. Her emphasis was to reach out beyond yourself to serve the Lord and others in the coming year.

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Each woman received a bulb with a personalized scripture reference painted on it.

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Women sharing Christ's love with each other.

Video of praise band singing Joy to the World.

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THE INCARNATION

2010-12-08T23:48:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE INCARNATION

(John 1:14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

During the Christmas season the doctrine of the Incarnation comes alive to us as Christians. We hear afresh the Christmas story and are in awe that Jesus came as a little babe in Bethlehem. Then we sing carols that speak about His coming in the flesh: “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th' incarnate Deity”… “Hail, hail the Word made flesh”… “Word of the Father now in flesh appearing.” So what is the Incarnation and why is it so important to us as believers in Christ?

COMMUNICATION: Incarnation is from the Latin in carne and means “in the flesh.” Christ came in the flesh. In other words He took on a human body through the virgin birth and dwelt among us. He was 100% God and 100% man. He was “God in a bod.” The God-man. Son of God and Son of man. The divine nature of the Son of God was perfectly united with human nature in one divine Person, Jesus, making him both truly God and truly man (what theologians call the “hypostatic union”). And what better way to communicate with man than for God to become a man Himself? And what did God try to communicate with us through His Son? (John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

REDEMPTION: Because Jesus came in the body He could physically die for our sins and pass on the benefit to us sinful and condemned creatures. (Rom 8:3-4) For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, {4} that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Jesus was sinless and by virtue of what He did on the cross we are now forgiven by faith in Him and declared righteous on His merit. (2 Cor 5:21) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. His spotless blood can make the sinner clean and is the only source of forgiveness before a righteous and holy God and Father. (Eph 1:7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

RESURRECTION: When Jesus rose from the dead He rose physically and therefore became the firstfruits of all who would rise in the future resurrection. (1 Cor 15:20) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. We can be confident in the Biblical declaration that Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours. (The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the physical resurrection of Jesus)

It’s interesting how Satan has always attacked the Incarnation. In ancient days the heresy of Gnosticism made the thought of God being in the flesh an offense. Matter was evil so God could not dwell incarnate. Today, thanks to secular humanism, it is intellectual sacrilege to say anyone in a body could be divine! Isn’t it interesting how the spectrum has deviated from one side to the other?! (1 John 4:2-3) By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, {3} and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Because of the Incarnation our great High Priest can sympathize with our weaknesses! Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:15-16)

Louie

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BOOK OF LIFE

2010-12-01T22:29:00.001-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BOOK OF LIFE

(Heb 12:23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven…

It was always interesting the first day of school when the teacher would call out the roll and you had to answer that you were present. You would hear other names but you waited anxiously for your personal name to be called. Then there seemed to be a relief that it was over. Your name was acknowledged and you were registered that you were part of the class. But did you know God has a list of names? It’s in a register called the Book of Life. It contains all the names of those who have trusted in Christ as their Savior. Will your name be listed? Will you hear your name be called and will you therefore be forever settled in heaven?

Jesus is the first person in the New Testament who talks about names being written in God’s presence. (Luke 10:20)…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Then Paul came along and called that list the Book of Life. (Phil 4:3) And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. In the book of Revelation the term is used seven times. It sounds like as we get closer to the end the more important this book will be. Let’s look at some features of the Book of Life:

(Rev 3:5) He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the BOOK OF LIFE; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels…(Rev 13:8) All who dwell on the earth will worship him (the Antichrist), whose names have not been written in the BOOK OF LIFE of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world…(Rev 17:8) The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the BOOK OF LIFE from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is…(Rev 20:12) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the BOOK OF LIFE. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books…(Rev 20:15) And anyone not found written in the BOOK OF LIFE was cast into the lake of fire…(Rev 21:27) But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s BOOK OF LIFE…(Rev 22:19) and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the BOOK OF LIFE, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

From these verses it looks like the righteous only are written in the Book of Life. Those whose names have not been written there will be deceived and follow the deception of the last days. At the judgment the Book of Life will be opened. Those not found recorded will be thrown into the fires of hell. This insures that heaven will have no defilement and those written in the Book of Life will enjoy eternal happiness in God’s presence.

The question has been that if your name can be added in then perhaps it can be blotted out? The scriptures do speak of the possibility of being blotted out but remember our salvation is not by merit (Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Perhaps a better way to view this is to say the Book of Life is a list of names for whom Christ has died. If you don’t accept the Lord your name will be erased from it (Exo 32:32; Psa. 69:28). At the final judgment it then becomes the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27).

Will your name be on that list? When you are born you are put into a genealogy. When you are born again you are listed as a member of God’s family. “When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there” because of Jesus!

Louie

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WHO ARE THE 144,000?

2010-11-26T17:08:00.000-08:00

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHO ARE THE 144,000?

(Rev 7:4) And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.

There have been many interpretations as to who the 144,000 are in the book of Revelation. It has been typical throughout church history for certain groups to claim that they are of this privileged number. Let’s study who this group are not and then who they most likely are:

- The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that 144,000 is a limit to the number of people who will reign with Christ in heaven and spend eternity with God. Those who are not among the 144,000 will enjoy what they call the earthly hope—a paradise on earth ruled by Christ and the 144,000.

- In Islam, 144,000 is alleged to have been the number of Sahaba (or followers) of Muhammad during his day. The number is also given as the total number of prophets in Islam.

- The number 144,000 is also significant in various New Age religious movements. For instance, The Church Universal and Triumphant teaches that Sanat Kummara and the Lords of the Flame brought 144,000 souls with them from Venus.

- The Christian Skoptsy sect in Russia believed that the Messiah would come when the Skoptsy numbered 144,000, and all their efforts were directed to reaching this total.

- Some take the 144,000 to be symbolic and believe it represents all of God's people throughout history in the heavenly Church.

- Still others take the number literally. In other words, the 144,000 are 12,000 Jews from the twelve tribes of Israel and are not the church (Rev 7:4-8). This literal view seems to fit best.

The 144,000 will probably be won to Christ through the ministries of the two witnesses who will preach during the first three and one-half years of the Tribulation (Rev 11:1-12). These 144,000 will be sealed by God for special protection and will lead multitudes to the Lord (Rev 7:9-17). In Revelation 14 the 144,000 are seen as brought safely through the Tribulation. They are characterized as being the firstfruits, preceding many other Jews who at the Lord’s second coming will turn to Him (Zech 12:10; Rom 11:26).

Let’s make something clear: You and I will not be of this number. But we can be of that other number added to the Church by the Lord by being born again (John 3:3; Acts 2:47). Then when we all get to heaven the number will far exceed the 144,000 of the Tribulation (Rev 19:6). And that’s the number I want to be in! You see it all adds up. You can count on it!!

Louie

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THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

2010-11-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Listen to a brief encouragement from Jose Mendoza who gave the devotion last night at our Thanksgiving Eve Service. Have a blessed Thanksgiving in Christ!