Category Archives: Pastors Corner

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

Whom Then Shall I Fear?

Mark Lee NewBy Pastor Mark Lee

Several years ago, a study was released connecting common worries with actual outcomes.  Subjects were asked to write down their fears over an extended period of time.  They were later asked to review their concerns and identify which came to fruition.  Remarkably, approximately 85 percent of what the subjects worried about never happened.  In short, they wasted their time and energy on absolutely nothing.

Of course, fear is part of life.  Daily concerns regarding health, finances, and responsibilities plague us.  In addition, there are national and global situations that create anxiety.  From terrorism and political turmoil to social unrest and natural disasters, it is not surprising that an estimated 19 million Americans have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

With fear being such an ingrained part of human nature, it is easy to see why it is a common theme in the Bible.  In fact, the word “fear” is mentioned more than 500 times in the King James Version.  At the same time, some biblical scholars claim the phrase “fear not” is repeated 365 times – one for each day of the year.  With “fear not” being the most repeated command in the Bible, you know it is a message that God wants us to take to heart.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  While belief in God does not make you immune to sadness or suffering, it does provide hope.  We can’t get rid of fear, but we can rest assured in knowing that God is in control.  After all, we know how this story will end.

 

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

 

 

Choosing A Road

Pastor Ed Moreno

Pastor Ed Moreno

By Pastor Ed Moreno

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus says that there are two gates and two roads.  There’s the wide gate and the broad road, and then there’s the small gate and the narrow road.

It is easier to get through a wide gate, and it’s easier to travel on a broad road. But being easy doesn’t make them the best choice.

Indeed, Jesus strongly advises against that gate and that road.

That leaves option #2, i.e., the small gate and the narrow road.  To ‘whom’ or to ‘what’ do these refer?

Well, in John 10:9 Jesus tells us that he is the gate.  He is the one through whom we get onto the narrow road.  The narrow road is the one where a person adheres to the teachings and commands of God the Father and Jesus his Son, as outlined in the Bible.

You are free to ‘choose’ which of these roads you’ll travel on.  But be aware that, as Jesus says in Matthew 7, the broad road leads to destruction.  The narrow road, on the other hand, leads to life.

Destruction and life refer to hell and heaven.  So, one wants to choose wisely.  Here’s a brief description of both based on a study of the various words Jesus uses to describe each of these eternal destinations.

With regards to hell: Hell is a place where God’s presence, glory, wisdom and purity are completely absent.  Hell is going to be a place where ongoing shame, deep sorrow and regret will be experienced by those who go there. They are going to realize, too late, that they’ve blown it – that they’ve missed their opportunity to accept Jesus, and that now they have to exist for all eternity in a negative place where there is absolutely no hope of things ever getting better.  No good will ever be experienced there.

With regards to heaven:  Heaven is a place that is unrivaled in beauty and in breathtaking sites to see.  Heaven is unparalleled in splendor, radiance, majestic colors, and magnificent sounds.  Heaven is an unimaginable visual and audible feast.  And it is the ultimate positive environment, to which nothing on earth can compare.  In heaven, there will be ongoing and genuine feelings of happiness, security, and sense of wellbeing.  In heaven there will be ongoing peace and stability.  In heaven there will be no sadness, sorrow, arguments, broken relationships, discouragement, sickness, suffering, pain, disease, death, evil, sin, betrayal, hurt or unfaithfulness – and the list goes on!

It’s your choice, but Jesus recommends that you choose the small gate and the narrow road.

 

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.  They are located at 7155 Hamner Avenue, at Schleisman Road, next to the Fire Station.  For more information, call (951) 278-8367, or visit http://www.newdaycc.net.

Gods Path Or Your Path

rob-norris-BW-2x2By Pastor Rob Norris

Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:6

Although the Lord showers His goodness on all men and women, the ability to perceive and enjoy it is limited by a refusal to reverence Him as God. To experience the fullness of His kindness, we must honor Him by choosing His way of submission and obedience. The Lord will never withhold His goodness from those who walk uprightly with Him. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

In love and wisdom, the Father has specifically designed a pathway for each of His children. Because no two people are alike, each path will look different. What may be best for one person may not be good for another. Comparison of God’s ways in different lives will lead only to discouragement and misjudgment. We have neither the wisdom nor the eternal perspective to understand why the Lord leads some people down a road of pain and hardship, but we can know that He is always good.

Every step on God’s pathway represents a deliberate choice to follow Him. By looking around instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus, we may start thinking that we are missing out on some really good experiences or possessions. If we leave the Lord’s course to follow one that looks better, we will forfeit His good blessings and discover, as Adam and Eve did, that any other way leads to loss.

Live It

Take time periodically to ask yourself, Am I on the path the Lord has chosen for me, or have I taken a detour to follow another direction that looks good? To build our own course and ignore the goodness and abundance of His pathway is foolishness. God alone knows the way we should take.

Pray
Ask the Lord to put you on His path and to have the faith to see it through.

The Crossings meets Sundays at 10 a.m. at River Heights Intermediate School, 7227 Scholar Way, in Eastvale.    For more information, visit http://www.atthecrossings.com.

 

Pay It Forward

Pastor, Rich-FountainBy Pastor Rich Fountain

 

There is a concept or deed that has become more familiar and more popular in our culture; it’s called “Pay It Forward.” Maybe you’ve driven through a Starbucks recently and the server tells you the car in front of you paid for your coffee. A few years ago there was even a movie staring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt by that name. In the movie a young student of a teacher who was played by Kevin Spacey came up with a concept of how we can change our world. It was a simple concept, you help three people who in turn help 3 people each and before long the entire world has been helped. He called it Pay It Forward.

This terminology actually dates back to 1916 when an author named Lily Hammond wrote a book entitled “In The Garden Of Delight.” In the book she wrote, “you can’t repay love, you pay it forward.” Today this concept has become a movement where we now have a Pay It Forward day on April 30th. Last year, 70 countries joined in on Pay It Forward day.  I recently saw a report where a man drove though a Chick-fil-A and gave the cashier $1,000.00 and told them to pay for everyone’s food behind him until the money ran out. The manager told of several people who came through the drive through and started crying and shared how they were having tough times or it had been a tough day and that really made their day. I’ve now seen numerous stories of people Paying It Forward.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  We see here that the originator of Pay It Forward was Jesus. When Jesus went to the cross He was paying it forward. Romans 8:29 calls Him the “Firstborn among many brethren.”  Col. 1:18 calls Him “the firstborn from the dead.” Jesus went to the cross to pay it forward so that mankind could be redeemed and restored to right relationship with the Father. Everything that Jesus did, He did it with you and I in mind. He was willing to sacrifice His own good for our good.

Think about it, Mankind has this selfish nature. The man Jesus dealt with this in the garden. We See Him asking the Father, “If there’s any way let this cup pass from me.” The flesh didn’t want to go to the cross. Then the selfless Jesus rose up and said, “Not My will but thine be done.” We all deal with this to some degree. We want it our way and we want it how and when we desire. Everyone of use has this character flaw. I can honestly say I have never met a person who doesn’t deal with this in some form or another. The challenge is to overcome this flaw and live a life that is selfless rather than selfish. When we learn this valuable lesson and then begin to apply it in our lives we really begin to Pay it Forward.

I can never repay God for the love, grace and mercy He has shown me but I can Pay it Forward to someone else by sharing that grace with someone I come in contact with.

 

Rich Fountain is the Student Pastor for Faith Life Center Church. They are located at 3778 Milliken/Hamner Ave Eastvale, CA 91752. They meet every Sunday at 8:30 am & 11 am.

 

The Power Of Story

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

 

Stories are a powerful thing.  They help our children go to bed.  A great love story can inspire romance and hope in our own life.  A movie with a great story can change our societies’ perception of people and events.  A great story can move us to action.  But what about your story?

If you were asked about your story what would you say?  Where would it begin; would you include the good with the bad?  Would you see the causes and effects?  More importantly, where would your story end – have you written the last chapter or is there more to come?

It is very likely that your story is more powerful than any you have read, heard, or watched.  And there is an even more powerful story that yours is a part of.  It begins in Genesis 1:26: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  Your story begins as a precious creation of God himself.  But more than that, He has incredible purpose for your story, what He knows you can do, and He is writing a much better ending that you might have imagined.

Join us at Edgewater on Sundays and discover your story in THE STORY: the Bible as one continuing story of God and His people.  Visitors will get a free copy of The Story.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

 

 

Magnitude

Pastor Dennis Morales

Pastor Dennis Morales

By Pastor Dennis Morales

1 John 4:9  “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

No doubt we live in earthquake territory.  Some people react differently to such a seismic event.   I have lived in California all my life, so I barely react unless it’s an earthquake of higher magnitude.  I usually turn to the news to try to find out what the magnitude force of the earthquake was and where it was centered.    After an earthquake, we may hear that it was a “magnitude 4.0” which is the measure of energy concluded by a Richter Scale.  Magnitude is defined in mathematics as the relative size of an object.  In Astronomy, magnitude is a measure of brightness and brightness differences.  This got me to think upon the love of God.  There is no measure for God’s love.

The Bible says “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”(Romans 8:38, 39).   We can conclude that no measure of life, no measure of power, no measure of time, and no measure of space can outdo any measure of God’s love for you.

If you are feeling weighed down today, Jesus said in love to give Him your burdens and He will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).  In faith, He has forgiveness and healing in His hands because His love for you is immeasurable and unfailing (Numbers 14:18).   We cannot help but to be moved by God’s love (2Corinthians 5:14).  Did you feel that?

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

 

When God Says No

Mark Lee NewBy Pastor Mark Lee  

As babies, one of the first words we learn to say is “no.”  In fact, this negative reply quickly becomes a regular part of our vocabulary.  However, the fact that this simple two-letter word is universally understood by people of various ages, cultures, and backgrounds doesn’t make it any easier to digest.  Whether you hear it from a parent, a boss, or a spouse, the word “no” is usually not a response we welcome with open arms.

Even more difficult than receiving a “no” from someone close to us is receiving it from God.  When you fervently pray for Him to intervene on your behalf – whether it is for something as significant as healing or as insignificant as a break in traffic – the answer “no” can be disappointing.  In our disappointment, we often fail to remember that God’s got everything under control.

Throughout life, we will encounter circumstances and situations that turn out much different than we originally imagined or planned.  When we find ourselves in the midst of these trying times, it can feel as if we are being punished or are being prevented from doing something. Ultimately, hindsight will reveal that God’s plans are better than our own.

In Proverbs 16:9 we are reminded that, “A man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.”  God’s gifts to us can sometimes enter our lives as difficulties, frustrations, and pain.  Much like a parent may tell a toddler “no” to keep them safe and help them learn and grow, a negative response from the Lord prepares us for something positive.  Through these “no” answers, we can reach a higher level in our spiritual life and a deeper dependence upon Him.  Encouraging, yes?

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

 

 

The Separation Of Church And State

Pastor Ed Moreno

Pastor Ed Moreno

By Pastor Ed Moreno

I don’t know about you, but I grieve over how far this great country of ours has drifted from what our Founding Fathers intended.  I know many today think that Christians are making it up when we say this country was founded upon God and the values and teachings of the Bible; but we’re not.  And this whole notion that the First Amendment means that there’s to be a Separation of Church and State is a falsehood that the Supreme Court of 1962 foisted upon the American public.

Our Founding Fathers wanted Christianity and the Bible to be integral to both our government and to our educational system, as any honest historian will tell you.

In his farewell address, George Washington issued three warnings.  Here’s one: “Of all the dispositions that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible supports…In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these two great pillars.”  So much for our Founding Fathers intending for there to be a Separation of Church and State!

And just to clarify, when our Founding Fathers used the words Religion and Morality, they were referring to Christianity and the morality taught in the Bible, again as any honest historian will tell you.

The following statements are a couple of other things to ponder. Did you know that all elementary education in our country was in the hands of the Lord’s church up to 1892?  Only when the population of the U.S. got too big did the church turn elementary education over to the state.  Did you also know that 123 of the first 126 colleges formed in the U.S. had Christianity as their foundation – including Harvard, Yale, and Princeton!

America prospered like no other nation before it, precisely because we had God at the center of our government and educational system.  Things are unraveling now because we don’t.  This causes me to grieve.  The promise of Leviticus 26:3-6, 9a was once ours, but now it is slipping from our grasp.  “Faithfully obey my laws, and I will send rain to make your crops grow and your trees produce fruit.  Your harvest of grain and grapes will be so abundant, that you won’t know what to do with it all.  You will eat and be satisfied, and you will live in safety.  I will bless your country with peace, and you will rest without fear…I will protect you from enemy attack.  I will treat you with such kindness that your nation will grow strong.”

 

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.  They are located at 7155 Hamner Avenue, at Schleisman Road.  For more information, visit http://www.newdaycc.net.

 

 

 

Life In The Fast-Food Lane

rob-norris-BW-2x2By Pastor 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.

Perhaps this policy didn’t seem extremely revolutionary to his post-World War II American patrons. But that small 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.

Perhaps it’s even how He makes Chick-fil-A sandwiches taste so good on Monday.

Live It
How does your family practice Sabbath rest? 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.

The Crossings meets Sundays, 10 a.m., at River Heights Intermediate, 7227 Scholar Way, in Eastvale. For more information, visit atthecrossings.com. 

Frenemy or Follower?

Pastor Robert Jewett Word of Truth Community ChurchBy Pastor Robert Jewett

Is it possible for someone to claim to believe in Jesus yet still be an enemy of his?  Jesus said that on the day of judgment, many will call him Lord but he will declare to them that he never knew them (Matt. 7:21-23).  How could this be?  Why would someone profess to know God, yet be told otherwise by Jesus?  Simply put, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works” (Titus 1:16).

Many want to be a friend of Jesus because he offers eternal hope but they do not want to do what he commanded.  Thus, although they profess to know him, they justify living in opposition to his commands and “walk as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18).  By definition they are a frenemy of Jesus.  Friend, if this describes you, please take heed to God’s word…frenemies of Christ will not inherit eternal life (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

If God has revealed to you that you are a frenemy, your first course of action is to repent.  Stop rationalizing your sinful behavior and instead confess it in prayer to Jesus.  Be sure to let him know that you are willing to turn away from your sin and to live life according to his commands.  At the moment you truly repent and believe, you will go from frenemy of Jesus to follower of Jesus.  You will begin to live according to his ways and not your old ways.  Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

If you are now a follower of Jesus, read the Bible daily and do what it says.  Also, make it a priority to start attending a Bible teaching church. You are always welcome to join us!

Lakeshore City Church meets Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Circle City Center (formerly Fender Museum), 365 N. Main St. in Corona. For more information, visit lakeshorecitychurch.com.

Rest For The Weary

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Summer is now fully upon us.  The mercury is rising, the days are long, and we tend to have a little extra time.  And the age-old question confronts us, “What are you going to do this summer?”  For some reason, summer has become the time to do everything, from vacation to projects around the house.

Before we get into the laundry list of things to do this summer, let’s consider a different question: Isn’t doing too many things the reason we were looking forward to a summer slowdown?  Isn’t “doing things,” what we were trying to get a break from?  It seems summer is about doing the things we didn’t have time for the rest of the year.  And that is exactly where the problem lies.

Perhaps summer is God’s way of saying, “Slow down!” In Exodus, Chapter 20 – as part of the Ten Commandments – God actually tells us to stop being so busy.  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work,” (Exodus 20:8-10).  God’s suggestion is to replace work with an activity that truly brings us rest, by reading His reinvigorating Word or seeking His wisdom in a time of prayer.

As we run here and there, doing this, that and the other thing, let’s make a pact to find time for summer inactivity.  This summer let’s actually get some rest!

We invite you to cool off and rest with us on “Soakin’ Sunday,” July 17 at 10 a.m. We will be kicking off a new series on treasuring the simple things in life, and the kids can have fun staying cool and getting wet.  Bring a towel!

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Saved by Grace

Pastor Ed Moreno

Pastor Ed Moreno

By Pastor Ed Moreno

I became a follower of Jesus when I was twenty-years old.  I had a lot of sins to be forgiven of – believe me!

Once I became a Christian, I was determined to never sin again.  But after thirteen years – in spite of my intense and relentless efforts to do otherwise – I still found myself committing big sins, little sins, medium sized sins, and I had sins that I gave way to time and again.

I was so upset with myself and so disappointed in myself; I really wondered how much more God was going to put up with before He not only cut me out of his service but out of his kingdom, as well.

I was at a real point of crisis in my soul.  I remember being in the fetal position on my couch writhing in emotional pain and upheaval over my utter failure to achieve a sinless state of being.

It was in the midst of all this emotional agony over my ongoing sinful condition that I began to realize that God’s grace is a continual gift that he gives to us if we are willing to avail ourselves to it; if we repent day by day and just never stop pursuing the living of the life God called us to in Jesus Christ – knowing that we will never fully achieve it in this life, but that progressive transformation will occur over the years if we’ll just trust in and rest in God’s grace.

Folks, it was while lying on that couch, weeping before the Lord that I realized that I am saved by grace from Start to Finish, and that I was going to have to trust that God’s grace is enough.

Listen, dear ones, you haven’t gone too far – God’s supply of grace has not been exhausted.

Have you ever taken note of the fact that I John 1:8 (“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”) is written to Christians?  That’s right!  It’s written to Christians!

Now that you know that truth, know the truth of I John 1:9, as well: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Believe it; accept it, and be cleansed.  Amen.

 

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.  They are located at 7155 Hamner Avenue, at Schleisman Road.  For more information, visit http://www.newdaycc.net.

Quality Time

Pastor Dennis Morales

Pastor Dennis Morales

By Pastor Dennis Morales

“And these words … You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house…” Deuteronomy 6:6–7

Dad is on his phone checking the scores and Mom is cuddled up with her tablet reading her favorite blogs or updating her status.   The children can also be seen on their tablets playing their favorite games or watching movies. Unfortunately, this scene is a growing trend in our current family structure.   Now I am all for technology, but sometimes it can blur the lines of responsibility for us as parents to schedule “quality time” with our kids.

The Bible is clear about parental responsibility to engage their children in deep heart-to-heart conversations about the Lord that impart more than facts, but teach solid wisdom.   We can do things like “conversational walks” with our children or go on short drives to the store for “one on one” time. A characteristic of a strong family is that they spend quality time together.  Our Heavenly Father exemplifies this to us in His desire to spend time with us (Exodus 29:43).  Our children are a heritage from the Lord and “teachable moments” are all around us. If my son is scared, it’s an opportunity to teach him about God’s presence.  Jesus did this when he taught His disciples through a storm. The Bible says to make the “best use of our time” (Ephesians 5:16) and to “make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). Our opportunity is now to prepare our children to trust God in every situation.  Time is a gift and it is short.

 

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays, 10:30am, and Wednesdays, 7:00pm at Clara Barton Elementary School (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale).  Visit their website at www.calvaryeastvale.org.

 

Behind The Music

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

 

Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, XM-Radio…the list goes on and on.  It looks like we can’t live without our music.  Why is that?  It seems we need a soundtrack for our lives.

Think about your playlists or “stations” on music services.  Why do you need so many?  We have playlists or stations for everything we do and every need:  news, working out, date night, music to work by (I’m listening to my writing station as I type), music for relaxation, music for recreation; there is a genre for every activity.  It points to the connection of music and emotion.  In fact, music is a powerful way we both express and experience emotions.

Think back to your dating days.  Did you have a soundtrack for falling in love?  You may even have, “Your Song,” as a couple.  Later there was the breakup mixtape.  Finally, a good (and tired of your moping) friend would come over with the pull-yourself-together-and-get-back-to-life CD.  Yes, music is a powerful part of experiencing life.  It’s even something we want to pass on to our children.  Whether it’s your native music, songs of faith, or just your favorite album from high school, we hope our children can appreciate it and make a musical connection across generations.

You probably already know how great and powerful music is, but have you considered the implications of these facts:  Why is there music at all?  Why does it have such a power to touch us? What evolutionary purpose does it serve? Music is a clue to the meaning, purpose, and direction of life and the entire world.  It demonstrates to us the beauty of a world created by a loving and creative God.  It shows us that not only does God exist, but also that He is good!  Just look at what an incredible gift he has given us.  Psalm 96 inspires us, “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.”

Growing up, some people referred to the music I liked as, “Devil Music.”  Well, if Satan has music, he had to borrow it and get the idea from God himself – sounds like a fail to me.  If in fact God created music, then He has a copyright on all of it.

So we invite you to join us at Edgewater, each Sunday in June, as we discover the Godly joy and hope found in secular music.  Visit our website at http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org to see the set list.

 

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Bouncing Ball

rob-norris-BW-2x2By Pastor Robert Norris

I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity. Ecclesiastes 2:11

There are seasons in life when our work requires more of us than it does at other times For Example, Tax season for the accountant and Christmas season for the retailer. Whatever your line of work, it likely has a natural rhythm that spikes at certain times.

But increasingly in our success-driven culture, busy seasons have run together into all seasons. We have allowed the pace to perpetuate itself, driving us at full throttle month after month, year after year. Things begin to come totally unraveled at home, in our marriage, in our relationship with our children. It can happen, seemingly, in a blink.

This reminds me of a commencement address attributed to Brian Dyson, who held several senior management positions with Coca-Cola during his long career. He told a class of Georgia Tech graduates, “Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air: work, family, health, friends and spirit. You’re keeping all of these in the air.”

“You soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. It will never be the same.”

You may not get as many pats on the back for being at home to dry the dishes or settle a disagreement or help a child study for a test. You may not receive the same sense of affirmation you feel from accomplishing a work goal or achieving recognition among your peers. But you will be living proof that winning at home first is the key to winning anything of value.

Marriages and families don’t bounce. They shatter. For generations.

Live It.
What is your “busy season”? What are the first signs that work is getting out of balance? How can you help each other handle those seasons that demand more of you than usual?

Pray.
For the ability to juggle well . . . and to know which balls can drop without causing major damage.

The Crossings meets Sundays, 10 a.m., at River Heights Intermediate, 7227 Scholar Way, in Eastvale. For more information, visit atthecrossings.com. Join us for Kids Camp (VBS) June 26, 27 and 28 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Free dinner included).

Learning To Love Yourself

Mark Lee NewBy Pastor Mark Lee

 

This summer, many people will spend time visiting beaches, lounging by the pool, and soaking up the sun with a good book in hand.   While popular fiction and non-fiction titles are sure to be included on quite a few reading lists, statistics indicate that the majority of summer readers will be enjoying self-improvement books.  In fact, self-help is a multi-billion dollar industry and has become the best-selling literary genre.

With titles such as “Love Yourself Like Your Life Depended on It” and “Knowing Your Worth,” it would seem that self-loathing is as much of an epidemic, if not more so, then selfishness.  The problem with having a negative view of oneself is that it can affect a variety of aspects of life.  The choices you make and actions you take are all influenced by the way you feel about yourself.

Although everyone agrees that is it important to focus more on others, it is also important to remember that we are allowed to love ourselves.  Taking care of our bodies, giving ourselves grace, and speaking kindly to ourselves is not a reflection of selfishness.  After all, when we care for our own mental, physical, and spiritual needs, we are better equipped to serve others.

The key to loving ourselves is to know where our value lies.  Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Our worth should not come from the opinions of others, the size of our bank accounts, or the reflection in the mirror.  Instead, it should come from the fact that God made us and He doesn’t make junk.

 

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

 

Doing Right In A Wrong World

 

Pastor Robert Jewett

Pastor Robert Jewett

By Pastor Robert Jewett

Is it possible for a person to do what is right even if the example they grew up witnessing was always wrong? Let’s examine the life of Josiah to investigate this question. Josiah came from two generations of very wicked men. His grandfather, Manasseh, did more evil in the sight of the Lord than the pagan nations that God destroyed (2 Kings 21:9-10).

Manasseh even burned one of his sons as an offering to a pagan god (2 Kings 21:6). Josiah’s father, Amon, followed in his father Manasseh’s footsteps. He abandoned the Lord and served the same idols that his father served (2 Kings 21:20-21). Josiah, however, even with the evil examples and influences of grandpa and dad, did was right in the eyes of the Lord.

If the wisdom of this world was correct, Josiah could not have escaped his horrible upbringing. He would have been a product of his environment and destined to do evil in the sight of the Lord. This view leaves no opportunities for hope. God, however, offers every person hope. Hope for freedom from sin (Rom 6:17-18); hope for a new start and new identity (2 Cor 5:17); hope of eternal life (John 3:16); and hope to endure through all of life’s difficulties (1 Cor 10:13, Rom 8:28-29). All one must do is repent and trust in Christ.

Instead of excusing sin based upon your circumstances, know that there is forgiveness and freedom from sin offered through Jesus. Rejoice in the fact that your fate is not in the hands of your circumstances, but in the hands of God.

 

Lakeshore City Church meets Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Circle City Center (formerly Fender Museum), 365 N. Main St. in Corona. For more information, visit lakeshorecitychurch.com.

 

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Pastor Ed Moreno of New Day Christian Church, Eastvale

Pastor Ed Moreno of New Day Christian Church, Eastvale

By Pastor Ed Moreno

When it comes to the successes and advancements we humans experience in life, are we quick to give God the glory?  Or do we seem to naturally give the credit to ourselves?

 

David went from being the youngest of eight brothers and a herder of sheep, to becoming a legendary warrior, a great leader, an accomplished musician, a prolific songwriter, and eventually King of the nation of Israel with a promise from God that David’s lineage would be blessed.

 

But even with all this success and advancement in life, David refused to take the glory to his own soul (2 Samuel 7:18-22a). Instead he gave all the credit and glory to God. David called God great, not himself.

 

David knew that he was merely a sinful human; that ultimately the only reason he had gotten so far in life is because God willed, allowed, and enabled David to achieve all that he did.

 

Folks, it is God who gave us our intelligence, our talents, our gifts, our drive, our abilities, and the air we breathe that keeps us alive.  Yes, we have been given free will to choose if we’ll utilize and/or develop what God has given us, but it is still God who has given us all these things.

 

The Apostle Paul said to his first-century and twenty-first-century readers: “What are you so puffed up about?  What do you have that God hasn’t given you?  And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you have accomplished something on your own?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

 

It’s always important for us to maintain a modest opinion of ourselves.  For again, only if God wills, allows, and/or enables us to achieve and succeed will we do so.  To God be the glory.  Like David, we know what we really are. So shouldn’t we stand in awe and just be grateful that God chooses to work through us at all?

 

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m. They are located at 7155 Hamner Avenue, at Schleisman Road. For more information, visit http://www.newdaycc.net.

Choose Love

Pastor Robert Jewett

Pastor Robert Jewett

By Pastor Robert Jewett

Take a moment and consider the topic of love.  What thoughts or memories stir in your mind? Many of our “experiences” with love have to do with emotions.  We even use the saying, “in love,” when we describe an emotion we feel towards an individual.  When this emotion fades, one might say that they “fell out of love.”   So what is love? Is it something that exists one day and then fades another day?  Is it dependent on emotions?

The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8).  Since God is love, we can learn the truth about love by looking at His example.  Rather than love being based on emotion, God demonstrates love based upon a choice: “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Rom. 5:8).  There is no emotional high in demonstrating sacrificial love to undeserving people.  As a matter of fact, it is absolutely sacrificial to demonstrate true love.

True love always has a cost.  True love demands that we lay down our pride… our rights.  True love requires forgiving others just as Christ has forgiven us (Col. 3:13).  True love necessitates esteeming others higher than ourselves (Phil. 2:3-4).  True love is not an emotional reaction… it is a choice.  It is a choice to obey God and fulfill His law of love: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:8-10).

Choose love!

Lakeshore City Church meets Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Circle City Center (formerly Fender Museum), 365 N. Main St. in Corona. For more information, visit lakeshorecitychurch.com.

“Heavenly Interruptions”

Pastor Dennis Morales

Pastor Dennis Morales

By Pastor Dennis Morales

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

“Sticky notes” are my friend.  I have lists of “things to do” for almost everything.  Sometimes I can get a little carried away, but I consider myself a planner. I once planned out our whole vacation and took my lists of things to do for everyday. Let’s say it was short lived. There was a time when no one could get between me and my schedule. When it was interfered with, I felt like the wheels fell off my day.

How do you go about your plans? How do you handle interruptions?  We have vacation plans, weekend plans, a retirement plan, plans for school, and the list goes on.  There’s nothing wrong with making plans but Proverbs says no matter what plans you may make, God decides where those plans will lead us.  We can plan the day as usual, but expect some Heavenly interruption. These interruptions come in all shapes and sizes.  They can come in the form of a son or daughter seeking direction, a spouse seeking your attention, a neighbor in need, or need I say (parents) “urgent care.”  We can make all the plans we want to make, but we better figure God in there somewhere.

God has a way of editing our schedule at times. Without God in your plans, you’re going to feel real lost; your life is going to feel empty and meaningless. God has a plan for you.  It involves a bright future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Trust the Lord in your planning and you’ll find He gives meaning, purpose, and life to your plans (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m.; and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., at Clara Barton Elementary (7437 Corona Valley Ave., Eastvale).  Visit their website at http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.