Category Archives: Pastors Corner

Inspirational faith based articles from local Pastors in the Eastvale area.

Pastor Dennis Morales

Pastor’s Corner: Things That Matter

By Pastor Dennis Morales

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, Ihave kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Paul the Apostle is nearing the end of his life.  He is contemplating the things God had called him to accomplish.  This is his swansong.  I am immediately impressed with the confidence with which he is able to say “I finished.”  It’s been said that “a wasted life is really nothing more than a collection of wasted days. As God gives us life, each one of us starts the new year with the same number of opportunities—365—that we can choose to either use and invest in eternal things or allow to drift by without taking advantage of the gift we have been given.”  I was walking through a cemetery after afuneral service and my eye caught a headstone that read “a life stillunfinished.”  We would naturally say thatabout anyone that had passed from this world at a young age, but this wassomeone who passed at 78!  I don’t wantto come to the end and think of all the things I should have done or the ways Ishould have stepped out in faith.  Paulcalls life a “race.”  My favorite racesin the Olympics are the sprints.  Theseraces are literally over in seconds, but I am always impressed with the amazingspeed of the athletes.  The race referredto by Paul is likened to a “long distance” run. A long distance run takes faith, endurance, and focus.  Jesus “for the joy that was set before Himendured the cross, despising the shame.” (Hebrews 12:2).  God calls us to focus and invest in thingsthat matter so that we might finish well. 


Calvary Chapel Eastvale Meets Wednesdays at 7pm and Sundays at 8:30 and10:30 am  at Clara Barton Elementary 7437Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale. 

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

By Jeremy Mercer

Our country is more divided than it’s been since the Civil War. With politics creeping into every facet of our lives, from sports to movies to even the church, America is a divided nation. I’m a problem-solver. I always seek to understand so I can find solutions. My thoughts go to an important verse in the Bible. First Corinthians 1:10 powerfully says, “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”

 

For human beings, this is often very challenging. However, the Word of God gives us this instruction because (1) it’s what God wants for us, (2) we need to hear it, and (3) by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, IT IS POSSIBLE! God would never ask us to do something that we could not accomplish. But God DID instruct us to live this way so it IS something we can do.

 

We must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6), to forgive each other, and to bring us into true unity, as God wants for His church to be. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Imagine if we lived that!

 

I believe the church is to be the answer, or rather, to be an example of the answer to the world. Jesus did tell us, after all, to be “salt and light.” (Matthew 5:13-16). We must each choose this. I am choosing this. Will you choose this with me?

Jeremy Mercer is the lead Pastor at Connection Church in Corona California

Location: 1441 E. 6th Street, Corona, CA 92879

Phone (951) 737-2822

Email office@connectcorona.com

Service Time: 10:30 am Sunday

The Overwhelming, Never Ending, TOUGH Love Of God

By Rohmon Merchant

“Nobody feels sorry for you!”, that is an actual statement I say to myself almost as a daily declaration. It is a way to motivate myself to live life on a grander scale, and when I feel overwhelmed and frustrated to realize, “Hey, man of faith! Yes you, the one who made a conscience decision to spend the rest of your days walking by faith and not by sight! Are you really going to sit here and feel sorry for yourself” Trust me, it’s much easier said than done, especially when you find more and more people have found a way to experience both the spoils of their selfish ambitions and sanctity of their Christians beliefs. I will venture to say when difficult times comes to those people (and it comes to everyone) their true understanding of God truly shows and it becomes a testimony or lack of. One of Jesus’ greatest traits is his compassion for people, and what we are starting to see more of, is that people seem to confuse compassion for pity. When I hear people speak to me on what they are believing God for, or how they believe God see’s their situation; it shows that there is a level of thought that God would change their situation “just cause” or “God wouldn’t let that happen to me” attitude. Could it be that God feels sorry for us? Your walk with God should be that, a walk, a continual progression through life. If we are always focused on our self, then when problems come we could look to God like a superhero that would change everything without anything from us. Not saying he needs us to help in any way, but God does want us to walk through our freedom and healing, because he doesn’t feel sorry for us but because he has compassion for us.

For example, Jesus went to a blind man from birth, took mud in his hands spit in it and rubbed it in the man’s eyes, then told him to find a certain body of water and wash his own face off. If God had pity for him there wouldn’t be an encouraging course of action that is connected to his faith. Christ didn’t make it simple for him, he can’t see, getting around his town would be tasking. How then is he to get up, find Bethesda, and wash his face, with mud and spit dripping from his eyes. Its sounds insensitive but Gods healing is always manifested more through the strong and not the ones who see themselves as the victim. That’s not just one time, we hear it after a lot of Jesus’ miracles, “Take up your bed and walk!”, “Remove those death Clothes!”, “Go home to your daughter, and do not fear!” We hear it frequently, through the scriptures and we can see that the Lord not only asks us to do tough things, but through those moments is where we find the power behind Christs love. His overwhelming, never ending, tough love of God. (see what I did there?) Instead of merely feeling sorry for us, Jesus moves us into action. He uses these moments to get our minds off of our self and our problems, and he motivates us to do something about it. I know it sounds like I’m being tough, but they are a lot of people who waste so much time staying in their woes waiting for God to finally feel sorry for them, when in reality “tough love” is what Jesus often used to set people free.

 

Keep Going

By Rob Norris

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:27

We don’t talk a lot about cross carrying. That’s more the fine print of being a follower of Christ–the part we don’t generally go around advertising to those we’re hoping to draw into Christian faith. But as I understand Jesus’ words in Luke 14:27, you and I cannot truly follow Him unless we are carrying a cross.

The cross is not just a popular piece of jewelry but also a unique Christian symbol that represents suffering and sacrifice. So it is with the cross He has asked you to carry. Your cross will undoubtedly extract pain and a price.

Cross carrying is not a one-time decision. No, we must choose daily to pick up our cross, again, and follow Him. We are to continue carrying it over the long haul.

Do you know what your cross is? Think with me for a moment. When the Savior asks you, “Pick up your cross and follow Me,” what exactly is it that He is asking you to carry?

Is your cross:

A chronic health issue–physical or emotional?

Giving up fame, prestige and popularity?

Giving up material wealth, financial security and living a lifestyle that you’ve become accustomed to?

The loss of a dream–infertility, a past divorce, infidelity or the betrayal of a friend?

Cross carrying demands focus on Christ (see Hebrews 12:1-3), coming after Christ with faith (see Hebrews 11:6), and perseverance.

Keep carrying your cross–through the balance of the work week, through the long months of a family crisis, through the hard-fought seasons of moral struggle.

Keep carrying your cross.

Live it:
What does carrying your cross mean to you right now? What cross has God called you to carry right now as you follow Him?

Pray:
That you won’t rebel against what God is asking of you but that you’ll submit willingly to His claim on your life and pick up your cross and follow Christ.

 

Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

Join us all September for Family Month

Trusting and believing with you,

Pastor Rob

 

Growing Gardens

By Rob Norris

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:9

I like the way a garden looks when it’s clean and neat, when all the soil is evened out and the weeds are pulled up. But I know too well that the hard work of a Saturday morning will be repeated again and again, all season long. It never takes more than a week or two of neglect before weeds are sprouting all over the place.

Parenting is a lot like that. Just when you think you’ve finally mastered one area, you wake up the next day and a whole new issue is facing you. It’s so easy to forget that parenting is a process. A long, long process.

You go to bed at night sometimes relishing those little victories, thinking all is secure and right with the world. But it’s not very long before something else crops up.
Remember that building character is the most important goal in parenting. Imprinting a child’s heart with the image of God takes time and repeated effort, often reworking the same ground repeatedly to keep bad behaviors from becoming habits.

So I encourage you today not to give up. Don’t lose heart. The Bible promises great rewards to those who faithfully persevere through the long days, the long battles that often don’t even stop for bedtime. I assure you, all that weeding will pay off.

Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

Trusting and believing with you,

 

 

Growing

By Dennis Morales

1 Corinthians 3:1 “I couldn’t talk to you as…spiritual people…”

 

My two boys have just moved up another grade in school.  It’s really hard to assimilate sometimes in my parental cortex, but they are growing.  I couldn’t be happier that they are growing and healthy.  Paul spoke to an audience dealing with stunted growth, not in a physical sense, but a spiritual sense.  People had told us prior to our sons being born; don’t talk baby talk, because it will affect their maturity and speech.  When Paul spoke to the Corinthian church, he said that he couldn’t speak in spiritual terms because they were still spiritual babies.  They should have grown or progressed, but they were immature.  They should have passed up the milk and gone on toward food that requires you to sink your teeth into it.  Paul says that immaturity was evident because of the things that were happening among them like strife, divisiveness, immorality, and envy (1Corinthians 3:3).  Their behavior didn’t change, and they weren’t maturing.   Unfortunately, many people have never grown up spiritually. They made an initial commitment to follow Christ but have never really understood what it means to be committed in following Jesus.  Saying a prayer of commitment to Jesus is not all a Christian life is.  Jesus becomes Lord and you begin to understand what it means for Him to lead your life.  Spiritual growth should not just be Christian radio listening to sermons or music but cutting into your own food.  We need to learn how to feed ourselves the spiritual food.  Your foundation starts with your Bible.  The Bible is likened to bread (Matthew 4:4), meat (Hebrews 5:11-14), and even Honey (Ps 119:103).  As we take steps closer to God, we experience His goodness, grace and glory in our lives in new ways.  Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets at Clara Barton Elementary in Eastvale.  Services are held Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30am. Wednesdays at 7pm. 

 

The Uniqueness of Christianity

By Pastor Ed Moreno

Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This claim rankles people like no other. Christians have been called arrogant, narrow-minded, and bigoted for saying Jesus is the only way to God. But the thing is, Jesus is the one who says that. Christians are just relating what Jesus said.

Part of the reason why this claim is so controversial is because it strikes at the core of three great myths about religion. I’ll briefly address the first one. The first myth says: “When you get down to it, all religions are basically the same.” The truth is that there are major differences between the religions of the world. And Christianity is like no other.  Christianity’s uniqueness is rooted in the uniqueness of Jesus himself.

Someone once noted that other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you how to find truth.”  But Jesus says, “I am the truth.”

Other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you the way to salvation.”  But Jesus says,  “I am the way to eternal life in heaven.”

Other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you how to become enlightened.”  But Jesus says, “I am the light.”

Other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you the door that leads to God.”   But Jesus says, “I am the door.”

Then Jesus adds, “So follow Me.”

What the different religions of the world teach contradict each other, so let’s not pretend they are all true. That’s irrational. They can’t all be true. What one needs to look for is who authenticated their claims.  Jesus claimed to be divinity and the only way to God, so how does he back up his claims? Jesus backs up his claims with unique credentials that make him uniquely credible.

For example, Jesus fulfilled dozens of centuries-old prophecies against all mathematical odds of probability. And unlike other religious leaders, Jesus performed great miracles that further authenticated his claim of being God’s one and only Son. And in the most spectacular demonstration of his deity, Jesus fulfilled his own prediction by rising from the grave after three days exactly as he said he would. And this was witnessed by more than 500 people.  No other religious leader ever did the powerful things Jesus did.  So, it’s not narrow-minded to say Jesus is the only way to God if the overwhelming evidence supports that claim.

 

Where He Leads

By Pastor Dennis Morales

Be strong and of good courage…for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  – Joshua 1:9

The children of Israel were ready to cross the Jordan into the Promise Land, but there was one thing in their way, the Jordan.  It was Harvest and it was a torrent of rushing water and virtually impassible (Joshua 3:15).  God instructed Joshua that they were to cross regardless.  God added He will be with them and He would make the Jordan passable.  In a “step of faith,” the priests were instructed to go first and to take the Ark of the Covenant and start the process.  God said when the feet of the priests dip in the edge of the water that the waters would part.  So God lead them and parted the waters the moment the priests dipped their feet in the water just as He said He would.  God also told the priests to stand on the dry river bed until every last person had crossed.  Why?  The Ark of the Covenant stands as a reminder of God’s presence.  He wanted the people to know He was with them as they passed through the waters.  Where is God leading you?  Does it seem difficult or impossible?  Remember wherever God leads you, He will be with you.  Daniel was lead to the Lion’s den as a result of his faithfulness to God but God shut the mouths of the Lions.  Jesus told His disciples “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).  God reminds His people in Scripture “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).  God’s strength is realized in allowing God’s leading.

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays 8:30 & 10:30 am, Wednesdays at 7pm at Clara Barton Elementary School (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale).  Visit their website at www.calvaryeastvale.org.

 

Humor Me

By Rob Norris

 2 Corinthians 4:5 We do not preach about ourselves. We preach about Jesus Christ. We say that he is Lord. And we serve you because of him.

It’s always dangerous to make assumptions. I am reminded of the businesswoman who found herself with an extra hour of airport down time. She bought a magazine, a coffee and a small package of cookies, preparing to pass the time as best she could in the crowded waiting area.

Absorbed in her reading, she reached over and picked up a cookie to nibble on. To her great surprise, a stranger two seats over reached into the same packet and began eating the second cookie. Stunned, she tried to ignore it. Only after 20 more quiet minutes did she reach in to take the third cookie. The stranger took the fourth. Then he picked up the near-empty package and sarcastically asked, “Would you like the last one?” Infuriated, she marched off in a huff to the airline gate, reached into her bag for her boarding pass . . . and found her unopened package of cookies! Her anger had been based on a wrong assumption.

Some assumptions are much more dangerous than that.  For example some may never have actually taken the step of faith to surrender their life to Jesus Christ. You may have the wrong assumption that your good works will get you into heaven.

You can change that at this moment. Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, died on a cross to pay the divine penalty for your sins and was raised to life to defeat death forever, is as near as your next breath. He offers eternal life to you in His open hands.

If you are not sure you are a follower of Christ, if you’ve never received His gift of salvation, you can confess your sins to Him right now and, through faith in Him, receive His forgiveness and ask Him to become Lord of your life?

Live it
Share your experience of coming to faith in Christ. Who are some people you know who need the gift of salvation that Christ offers?

Pray
If you aren’t sure where you will spend eternity, pray in faith right now and receive Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

Trusting and believing with you.

Pastor Rob

 

When We Are Drowning In Our Blessings

By Pastor Mark Lee

 

Last month, California’s prayers were answered.  After years of water shortages and dry weather, the sky opened up and rain began to fall.  And fall.  Within weeks, approximately 80% of the state’s historic drought had ended.  Californians, however, soon found themselves drowning in their blessings.  As the soil became saturated and the streets flooded, many people grew frustrated with the very thing they had asked God to send.

 

Being unappreciative of God’s gifts is not unusual.  Just take a look at our daily lives.  We yearn for children, but lament the active toddler or trying teenager.  We ask God for shelter, but despise the never-ending housework. We pray for a steady paycheck, but can’t stand our co-workers.  From the beloved spouse we argue with to the dinner we don’t want to cook, we often have a tendency to take life’s blessings for granted.

 

Much has been said about the need to have an “attitude of gratitude.”  And honestly, who doesn’t want to be grateful for everything they have?  Unfortunately, it is easy to lose sight of the positive when faced with the negative.  No matter how hard we try to fight them off, bad thoughts can creep in.  Because of this, we need to intentionally find something to be thankful for in each situation we face – no matter how bad it is.

 

Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  The next time you are frustrated while cleaning the toilet or sitting in traffic, remember that many of these circumstances are the result of your answered prayers.

 

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 11 a.m.

God Owns It All

By Sean Ortiz

Have you ever wondered who is responsible for your fiscal management?  Does the idea of a budget make you cringe?  Well we have been going through a lesson called Impact here at New Beginnings.  It is based on Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University training.  One of the foundations of the class is to understand that God own’s it all.  PSALM 24:1 says “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein”.  In HAGGAI 2:8 it states, ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts”.  Also in GENESIS 1:1 it begins with “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”.  As soon as we understand the concept, that we do not own anything, but that we are God’s management team.  We can then realize we have a huge responsibility to manage our resources with the understanding we are accountable to the creator of Heaven and Earth.  What a responsibility we have.  The idea is the we would always think twice if we understood that we don’t own anything.  So, what would life be like debt free and living on 80% of your income?  What could you accomplish if you saved 10% and had 10% to give to charity.  Who could you help?  Who could be blessed by your abundance because you are managing your resources wisely.  We have 3 powerful resources, our TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE.  So, the question is, are you ready to live life and live it MORE abundantly? Let’s trust God with our resources so we can make an IMPACT in the world around us.  Remember to always LET GO AND LET GOD……

Pastor Sean Ortiz

New Beginnings Community Church Jurupa Valley

9010 Limonite Ave

Jurupa Valley, CA 92509

http://www.nbccjv.org

 

 

 

Life in the Fast-Food Lane

By Rob Norris

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8

When Truett Cathy opened his Dwarf House restaurant in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946, he made a decision never to deal with money on the Lord’s Day. The Dwarf House was always closed on Sundays.
The restaurant was the first franchise for Chick-fil-A®—and by the organization’s sixtieth anniversary; it had multiplied into over 1,200 restaurant locations. As Chick-fil-A continues to grow, it also continues to close its operations on Sunday, traditionally one of the biggest days for food service.
Being closed on Sunday is a reflection of Truett’s purpose statement for his company. It’s an investment in the spiritual lives of his employees and a witness to both the watching world and the restaurant industry. He still refers to his closed-on-Sunday policy as “the best business decision I ever made.” In fact, Chick-fil-A restaurants often generate more money in six days than other comparable restaurants do in seven.
Being closed on Sunday is also a reflection of one of my core values: Sabbath rest. I believe that when we yield control of our lives to the Father—when we reserve our Sundays to turn from our activity to rest and to abide more fully in Him—we receive strength for daily living throughout the coming week and live under the blessing of God.
The Sabbath is God’s invitation to draw near to Him, to rest in Him, and to linger by His still waters. It’s how He helps detoxify you from the pressures of life. It’s how He restores your soul.
Live IT:

How could you make God-honoring relaxation more of a deliberate effort?

Pray:

Ask the Lord to show you the value of keeping His Sabbath.

Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

Join us on Easter for a Celebration Service and Egg Hunt

Trusting and believing with you,

Pastor Rob

 

Empty Is Good

By Pastor Dennis Morales

“And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”  Luke 24:24

There was a city where a building wall collapsed because the foundation caved into an empty tomb-it was unknown and hidden when they built it. Now if the men intentionally built a building with a hole as a foundation they would be fools. When we look at God and His ability to “hang the earth upon nothing” we think differently. The church as we know it has a foundation that is in fact the empty tomb. If His tomb hadn’t been emptied there wouldn’t have been any hope. The empty tomb gives us assurance that Jesus is who He said He is. Jesus “was declared the Son of God (with power) by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom 1:4). The empty tomb is proof of acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice for all mankind (Rom 5:18).   The empty tomb means death is defeated. There is now no death for those who are in Christ Jesus! “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”(1 Cor. 15:51-57).  Because of the empty tomb, you and I, by faith in Him, have life today and life forever!  He is risen!  SPECIAL EASTER SERVICES:  Good Friday at 6pm and a combined service on Easter Sunday at 9:30am with a Family BBQ following.  Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets regularly Sundays, 8:30am & 10:30am, and Wednesdays, 7:00pm at Clara Barton Elementary School (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale).  Visit their website at www.clavaryeastvale.org.

 

 

 

 

 

How Do We Stop Sinning?

By Sean Ortiz

How do we stop sinning?  This is a challenge we all think about in our walk as Christians.  So, what is the answer?  Well, sometimes we make it more difficult than we need too.  Here, let me give you something to think about.  There is a Scripture in 1 Peter 4:8 which says ”Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”  The passage is Peter quoting a truth that is not new.  It is found in Proverbs 10:12 which states, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins”.  What is Peter saying?  Well here is something to think about.  In Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma”. What if we as imitators of Christ were to love like Him? Meaning our love for people is so great that it covers or even prevents us from thinking or doing things like lying, committing adultery, gossiping or doing anything else the Lord considers a sin. When we love others truly like Christ loved the church, we could then understand, we would never want to hurt or do something unimaginable to the people we love that would damage or cause us to sin.  People would mean ALL people.  Also, if we love ourselves, we would never want to violate ourselves either.  You see love is a powerful thing.  It is easily powerful enough to prevent us from sinning.  So, let go and let God show you love so great, it can and will cover a multitude of sins.  Not others…………. but yours.

Pastor Sean Ortiz

Sundays at 10am

http://www.nbccjv.org

New Beginnings Community Church Jurupa Valley

9010 Limonite Ave

Jurupa Valley, CA 92509

951-734-9574

 

Be A Miracle

By Rohmon Merchant

If we are all being honest; extremely honest, it is easy to say that at some point, everyone needs a miracle. I know that I have (unspoken) and boy I pray so hard for one. Literally blood, sweat and tears praying, ugly crying, snot nose, can’t keep my breath, falling on my face, neighbors so worried they call the police type praying. In those times I feel God should take my urgency into consideration. I feel at that moment there is no more pressing matter than the one that I am bringing to the table. Not to down play it at any or level, but I am in dire straits at those moments. These are the times I feel like I can’t take anymore, that I am falling apart so completely that if He doesn’t show up, then I am completely finished. Have you ever been there? Have you ever found yourself at the mercy seat of God, uncharacteristically begging? After all that, we don’t want to seem like our faith is completely shattered so we try our best to look and think upon things that are pure and holy so that our faith doesn’t look totally annihilated. While at the same time staying hopeful and looking out for where our miracle is coming from. I have to even check my thoughts so as to not work myself to anger, and yes even to fits of rage because I felt as though God didn’t show in my time. I want to encourage you, but I also want to challenge you with this thought. If anyone reading this can honestly say they are at a place with the Lord where you feel; “I have walked with you for some time now, I know that you will never leave me nor forsake me”, “I am the righteousness of Christ!,”  “I have never seen the righteous forsaken or a seed begging for bread”, we know that God is, and will provide all things that we have asked for. (Some answer/resources we have prayed came in the form of seed but that is a different subject). There is no need for the high emotional level trying to manipulate the hand of God. What if we changed our perception of this? What if instead of looking for a miracle, we were looking to be a miracle.

A New Legacy

By Rob Norris

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Joshua 1:8

As a people, we are healthier but not happier. We are drenched in knowledge but parched for wisdom. Materially we are wealthy, but we suffer a profound poverty of the soul. The longer I live, the more I see that our nation needs a spiritual reformation in its inner spirit.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the state of the family. The biblical values that built our great nation–once passed on from each generation to the next as a national treasure–are being questioned and dismissed. As a result, never before have we seen such deterioration in our homes:

Never before have so many children grown up in broken homes.

Never before has the definition of marriage been altered to allow for two people of the same sex.

Never before has the marriage covenant been viewed with such contempt by a generation of young people.

Never before have parents been ridiculed for seeking to raise children with biblical values.

Never before have so many Christians laughed, shrugged their shoulders or did nothing about adultery, divorce and sin.

Never before has materialism been so flagrantly embraced over relationships.

Never before has the family been in such need of a new legacy.

The pivotal national issue today is not crime; neither is it welfare, health care, education, politics, the economy, the media or the environment. The pivotal issue today is the spiritual and moral condition of individual men and women, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, and families.

Live It:
Nations are never changed until people are changed. The true hope for genuine change in the heart lies only in the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Through Him, lives can be rebuilt. Through Him, families can be reformed.

Pray: That change in our country will begin with change in our lives and homes.

Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

Trusting and believing with you,

Pastor Rob

 

The Faith of the Philadelphia Eagles

By Jeremy Mercer

Super Bowl LII was won in dramatic fashion by the underdog Philadelphia Eagles, 41-33, over the defending Super Bowl Champion, New England Patriots. What you may not know is how central faith in Jesus Christ is to the heart of the Eagles. Carson Wentz the starting QB, is a strong follower of Christ. Nick Foles, who had to take the place of the injured Wentz, is also a Christian. The faith of the Philadelphia Eagles is now going viral.

Head Coach, Doug Pederson, Zack Ertz (TE), Torrey Smith (WR), Stefen Wisniewski (OG), Jordan Hicks (LB), and several other players were seen in videos giving their testimonies, being baptized in the team’s rehabilitation pool and holding weekly team Bible studies. Their faith is central in their lives and has bonded this team together in a unique and powerful way.

On my weekly internet radio show, “God, I Love Sports” on Hope Radio 24/7, I made myself clear on how following Christ shaped this year’s Super Bowl Champs. NO, I’m not saying that Jesus wanted the Eagles to win or that God hates the Patriots like everybody not from New England. God doesn’t control our every step, every word and every thought. As Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose today whom you will serve.” When someone chooses to serve Jesus and follow Him, then God can come alongside them, guide, strengthen, help, and bless them as they follow the instructions in God’s Word.

What the Eagle’s discovered goes beyond the “X’s & O’s” of the game. They have found a relationship with a real God and know as do I, how much difference God can make in our lives. If you will give your life to Christ, allow His Holy Spirit to help you understand the scriptures and begin to build your life around His Word and follow its teachings, you too, will discover the power of God in your life. You may not end up in a Super Bowl, but God loves you and is for you. He desires to bless you! Trust in Him, follow His Word, and you’ll become a champion in your own life.

Lead Pastor

Connection Church

Corona CA

Strong into the Night

Pastor Rob Norris

He who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. Proverbs 29:25

In September 1939, Great Britain allied with France and several other alarmed countries in declaring war on Hitler’s Germany, which had invaded Poland in its intended march toward global domination. By the end of the year, anxieties throughout England remained on high alert; everyone was fearful of bombing and invasion.

When King George VI sat down before two large microphones to make his Christmas Day speech to the nation, he was dressed in his official uniform as Admiral of the Fleet. With so many parts of the world facing an uncertain future, his goal was to reassure the people that their nation was prepared and able and their cause right and just.

“A new year is at hand,” the king said. “We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle, we shall remain undaunted.”

Then, turning to some lines of poetry his wife had recently shared with him, he concluded his speech with these words, which are a fitting close to our year together. They offer a word of encouragement that–we hope–will settle your hearts amid the troubles of our own era in history. These lines are from “The Gate of the Year,” a poem written in 1908 by Minnie Louise Haskins:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied, “Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!”

Live It

As you make the turn to a new year, what are you facing that needs you to sink your hand more deeply into God’s hand?

Pray

Pray for one another that as you embark upon a new year, God will grant you and your family His favor.

Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

Trusting and believing with you.

Pastor Rob

 

In The Spirit

Pastor Jeremy Mercer

To say I grew up in a Christian home is an understatement. My parents are devout God-fearing people. That is anything but a negative statement. On the contrary, they are respected and loved by everybody and with good reason. My parents are wonderful and absolutely the “real deal.” They’re not perfect, but they genuinely strive to live as the Word of God instructs.

One of the phrases I heard most growing up was “be in the Spirit.” You have to be “in the Spirit,” “walk by the Spirit,” and “live by the Spirit.” “The Spirit” is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Now I know many people have differing views on how the Holy Spirit operates in the modern world and in the daily life of a Christian. Whatever those views are, growing up, I knew being “in the Spirit” was very important.

Revelation 1:10 tells us that the Apostle John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” The Lord’s Day, being Sunday, the day Christ rose from the dead. It also gives us the important fact that John was “in the Spirit.” John was conscious of being surrounded by the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit! Wow! What a way to live!

We can live that same way every day; if we choose the continual awareness and pursuit of God. Christians often times make life-altering choices by our natural human understanding and thinking, not cognizant of the Holy’s Spirit’s presence and help. I’m ALL for using the brain that God gave us to think, reason, plan, and strategize as best we can. However, often times that isn’t enough. I am thankful that God gave us the Helper…His Holy Spirit. I want to live every day “in the Spirit” like the Apostle John did.

In 2018, not just on “The Lord’s Day” but every day, let’s be “in the Spirit.” Let’s worship God, pray, and listen to the Word “in the Spirit!” Let’s be conscious and receiving of the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit! We will begin to see things differently in our lives. Obstacles will become opportunities. Problems will lead to promotion. Pain will turn to peace. We’ll encounter God and be forever changed, empowered and filled with joy! Let’s be intentional about living every day, starting today, “in the Spirit!”

Jeremy Mercer Lead Pastor

Connection Church

1441 E. 6th Street, Corona, CA 92879

http://www.connectcorona.com/

A New Year and a New Beginning

By Pastor Sean Ortiz

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

2 Corinthians 5:17

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the NEW creation has come. The old has gone, the NEW is here!

Have you ever realized we make resolutions every year?  How many do you keep?  What if you kept all your resolutions every year, where would you be in life?

I want you to know that every NEW year is a NEW beginning. NEW means not existing before, made, introduced, discovered recently or for the first time.”  What is it in your life that will be discovered for the first time?  A new attitude, outlook a job, career or potential you never saw before.

It is interesting that in Corinthians Paul says if you are in Christ you are a NEW creation. That is saying, if you truly want to keep the NEW, we need to keep Jesus in our life.  If you keep failing at your resolutions or they never come to pass it might be because Christ is not in them. When we put Christ first, our plans change to HIS plans. That is where true NEW comes from. If you want the NEW it is time to ask the question. Am I IN CHRIST? Which means, do I believe or will I BE LIVING for Christ? Jesus promises, as Paul states that the OLD is GONE. This means we can change. We can have a NEW perspective, outlook and future only found in CHRIST. It is time to let Jesus in your life and do what I always encourage everyone to do.  LET GO and LET GOD>>>>> in every area of your life. Then you will see the NEW.  HAPPY NEW YEAR and may it be a truly lifechanging one for you and your loved ones.

New Beginnings Community Church Jurupa Valley

9010 Limonite Avenue
Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
951.681.5343

http://www.nbcc.com/

Service Time: 10 a.m.