OPTIMISM VERSUS PESSIMISM - HALF FULL?

*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.

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THE CALL TO THE MINISTRY

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?

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

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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."

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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/

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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

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

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

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

'In God We Trust' promoter undeterred by opponents

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

By BRIAN ROKOS
The Press-Enterprise
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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

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

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.

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

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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