NCL Church Blog

Merry Christmas From NCL!

2011-12-22T13:26:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas NCL family,

"Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!" I love to sing this Christmas carol as its tempo is so upbeat and joyful! I believe it really reveals the heart of the shepherds that glorious day after they had heard from the angels, "For there is born to you this day, in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 1:11) "Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them" (Luke 2:20).

Let that melody manipulate your mind today that you, like the shepherds, would go and tell everyone on the mountain and in the valley too that Jesus Christ is born! It is so striking to me that the Lord told shepherds. Shepherds were not people whom people would pay attention to or listen to in that day. They were socially unacceptable, but the people did listen. Why? Shepherds were not supposed to know much, but these shepherds shared startling information that if heard and received would result in tremendous transformation for the hearer. The shepherds spoke from the heart, and the words connected to the deepest needs of others.

Your story, like the shepherds' story, is the story of your experience. Tell the story of God in your life. You don't need to share all the details of your past. Simply share that you were once lost and all alone, and when someone told you about the Savior your life was transformed, and now you have been found and never will be alone for Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Please be praying for us tonight as we head to Watts to share the Good News that Jesus Christ is born! We will be serving a meal, sharing Christmas carols, a special message of hope, and giving Christmas gifts to hundreds of kids and their parents!

God bless you all, and I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas From Wing Ministries

2011-12-20T13:52:00.000-08:00

Midweek Update

2011-12-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas NCL family,

Two very important pieces of information!!!!

First, as many of you know, we have moved our Christmas party from Newport Coast to Watts this coming Thursday night. The Lord opened a door for us to come alongside Hope Central in Watts to serve the community by serving a southern feast, singing Christmas carols, and handing out gifts to hundreds of children. You will not want to miss this wonderful opportunity to serve our Lord this Christmas by serving others.

Here is the plan so far: We will meet at my home at 4PM to carpool to Watts to arrive at 5PM to prepare and serve dinner promptly at 6PM! After dinner we will sing Christmas carols and handout gifts to hundreds of children. The event will end around 7:15, and then we will have about 45 minutes to breakdown. We should be departing Watts at 8:00PM.

If you are unable to attend, please be praying. If you want to meet us up there, we will be meeting at 1464 East 109th Street, Los Angeles, CA. Please let me know if you would like to join us!

Secondly, we will not be having any church meetings until Sunday, January 1, 2012, at which time we will celebrate New Year’s Day together with a testimony, a gospel message, and a potluck. Let’s start the New Year off with a bang and remember to bring a dish to share and a friend to share the good news that Jesus Christ has come!

This morning for my devotion I meditated on the song Mary sang after her visit with Elizabeth (just before John the Baptist's birth and about three months before Jesus was born). Please take a moment and mediate on Mary’s joyful heart:

“My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Luke 1:46-56

God bless you!

Missionary Update - Desery Montenegro

2011-12-16T11:43:00.001-08:00

Missionary Update - The Kulas

2011-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

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The Coming of the Christ!

2011-12-15T12:50:00.001-08:00

Good morning NCL family,

Why was Jesus born inBethlehem? This question has been burning in my brain all weeklong.

This tiny, littlevillage is located about five miles south of Jerusalem and sits on a high ridgemore than two thousand feet above sea level. There were many other greatcities in that day that Jesus could have been born, but God choseBethlehem. One of the reasons I discovered is that this little villageheld great significance for the Jews. Jacob had buried his beloved wifeRachel in Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19); Ruth had met Boaz in Bethlehem (Ruth1:22-2:6); King David had grown up in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1; 17:12). Even more important, the prophet Micah had prophesied that Messiah wouldbe born there:

"But you, BethlehemEphrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of youshall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth havebeen from old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).

Prophecy is such apowerful tool to share with unbelievers. And in this little passage isthe answer to many questions that many people have about the birth of ourLord. Such as: Where did He come from? Where did He come to? What did He come for? Lastly, had He ever come before?

This coming Sunday weare going to answer each of these questions in a special Christmas messageentitled, "The Coming of the Christ!"

Please be praying aboutan unsaved friend you can invite to hear the answers to these awesomequestions!

God bless you!

Missionary Update - Boal Family

2011-12-14T10:54:00.000-08:00

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Missionary Update - Dave & Darlys Bird

2011-12-14T10:45:00.001-08:00

Dear Prayer Partners,

Merry Christmas! During this Christmas Season, we want to give you a warm Christmas "hug" as we celebrate together the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Most Current News: Over the past 3 months, Jacmel, Haiti has experienced numerous armed robberies aimed primarily at missionaries, and it has not been a safe place for us. We are now in S. California and plan to return to Jacmel as soon as the violence calms down (possibly as soon as the end of December). Please pray that the robbers are caught (and saved) and for God's wisdom and timing in returning to God's work in Jacmel.

To view our December Newsletter, with lots of photos, please click on the following link and double click on the Newsletter "Download" icon: CIDM Newsletter

Love & prayers,
Dave & Darlys Bird
Calvary International Development Ministries

Midweek Update

2011-12-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

Good morning NCL!

"The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable." - Ralph W. Sockman

My wife loves nativities. She has been collecting them for many years from all over the world. In each and every nativity scene the focal point is the Christ child, as it should be, but we cannot leave Him there. This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for sinners, ascended to heaven, and will come back to earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords! Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about Him.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the fields, he said, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

What a wonderful birth announcement! At first, the shepherds were terrified, but then their fear turned to joy and they began to testify of Christ's birth! First they ran to see the baby, and then they spread the word! Jesus is your Savior, your Christ, your Lord!

Let your fear turn to joy by testifying of Christ's birth this year! This wonderful story could be the hinge that opens the door of the heart of that unsaved friend or family member that you have been praying for!

Reminders:

No Wednesday night study this week.
Young adults study at Jeff and Jackie Bird's home on Thursday night.
Special Christmas message and music this coming Sunday.
NCL's Christmas party is Thursday, December 22, at 7:00 pm at Newport Coast Elementary School.

2011-12-12T18:36:00.001-08:00

Make This Christmas Count

2011-12-10T10:02:00.001-08:00

So it's Christmas season already. Can you believe it? It's timefor eggnog, Christmas trees, and caroling. It is a shame that the world hastransformed Christmas from a celebration of Christ's birth to a time ofshopping and Santa Claus. Each year, our society has slyly pushed more of Christ out of Christmas. Why has the focus become about eating,shopping, and decorating, among other things? Why is Christ not the center ofChristmas? Isn't He the reason why we celebrate this holiday in the first place?

One of the enemy's most effective tactics is distraction. Thatis exactly what he has done with Christmas. Sadly, the enemy has beenexceptionally successful in veering people's attention away from Christ. Eachyear the spotlight is taken more off of Christ and placed more on trivialmatters.

Let's remember why we celebrate Christmas:

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David aSavior, who is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11

I encourage you to look beyond the rush of the holiday season andfocus on WHY we celebrate the day we call Christmas. Christmas exists becauseof Jesus Christ. This day is a celebration of the fulfillment of numerousprophesies over hundreds of years. We are commemorating the birth of our Saviorwho has given us forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. That's a good reasonto celebrate! Praise Jesus this Christmas season for who He is and all He hasdone. Let's put the focus of Christmas back on Christ!

May the Lord richly bless you as you seek after Him-

~ Jeff Bird

Missionariy Update - The Kulas

2011-12-08T14:47:00.001-08:00

Hi Gang,

Wanted to ask you for some prayer...

We want to praise the Lord for Slawek's recovery. He is a new creature in Christ Jesus. His wife has also been coming to church and now his parents, who are Jehovah Witnesses, also came to church!!! We also praise the Lord for two ladies who opened their hearts to Jesus last Sunday. The Lord is good!

Like to ask prayer for Saturday. Kendall and I are organizing a big Christmas outreach and we are asking that the Lord would bring many people and would prepare their hearts to hear the gospel. The event is basically a big Christmas party with food, activities, games, gift exchange, carols and a message.

Next Saturday, Dec 17th, Kendall is organizing a Christmas Tea for the ladies, designed not only to edify believers but also to reach out to unbelievers.

Like to ask for continued prayers for healing for my neck & back. I have started physical therapy to try and stabilize the spine and hopefully relieve some pain. We are asking the Lord to heal, knowing He can. Abbey is fighting off a bad cough for over a week and needs prayer.

Thank you for praying and standing with us!

With much love in Jesus,
The Kulas

Race with Grace

2011-12-08T12:08:00.001-08:00

Hebrews 12:18-29

Hello NCL family,

From the dawn of time the world has been a difficult and even daunting place to live. At times our lives seem so shaken that we wonder if we can endure all the suffering and shame! But God’s Word promises each of us that we can endure if we are looking in the right direction.

Abraham endured “for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). The patriarchs endured as they looked ahead to the city God was preparing for them. Moses “endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (11:27b). The Colossians endured because they were instructed to look up: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). And the writer of Hebrews exhorts the Jewish Christians to endure by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Where are you looking today? Are you looking in the right direction? Do not be distracted by the difficult and daunting times we live in. Keep running the race with endurance. Keep looking to Jesus Christ. Remember that your Father loves you. And draw on God’s enabling Grace!

This coming Sunday we will conclude our lesson on how to “Race with Grace” (Hebrews 12:18-29).

God bless you all!

Midweek Update

2011-12-06T10:56:00.001-08:00

Good morning NCL family,

The apostle Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 5:10

Every time I read this verse I think to myself, “Why would He do that? Why would He sacrifice His only Son for sinners like us?” Paul gives us one really good reason in this verse: so that we could be living, breathing pictures of His grace and mercy! According to this verse, believers are His workmanship, His masterpieces. I know that it is difficult to look in the mirror and see ourselves as His masterpiece, but He is the One who said it! And if He said it, it must be true!

How do you view yourself? How do you view others? I wonder if the world would be a better place if all believers were to see themselves and see others as God’s masterpieces. I believe it would make all the difference in the world! God’s masterpieces should not degrade themselves with sinful attitudes, nor should we devalue His other works of art - our brothers and sisters in Christ.

This Christmas season let us treat one another as God’s masterpieces so that we can make all the difference in the world! May the world around us see His grace and mercy!

Reminder:
Tomorrow night at 7pm the men are meeting at the Gipes' home, and the women are meeting at the Homs' home to help prepare one another for "a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy."
Colossians 1:10-11

God bless you all!

Race with Grace

2011-12-01T12:49:00.001-08:00

Hebrews 12:12-17

Good afternoon NCL family,

Troubles, trials, and tribulations should be treated as spiritual training, which will build our character and our faith, our love and our righteousness.

I love what one person wrote about these things: And so what do I say? I say let the rains of disappointment come, if they water the plants of spiritual grace. Let the winds of adversity blow, if they serve to root more securely the trees that God has planted. I say, let the sun of prosperity be eclipsed, if that brings me closer to the true light of life. Welcome, sweet discipline, discipline designed for my joy, discipline designed to make me what God wants me to be."

During the days of Isaiah there were many people who were discouraged and disappointed because of the many evil kings that were ruling over the nation. Many of them were ready to give up! Isaiah encouraged them with these words, "They shall see the glory of the Lord, the Excellency of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful hearted, "be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with a vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you!" (Isaiah 35:1-4).

This coming Sunday morning we willlearn that the writer of Hebrews was inspired by Isaiah. These words are certain to encourage you, too, as we continue to learn how to, "Race with Grace" (Hebrews 12:12-17).

These encouraging words are perfect for the heart of the believer and unbeliever alike, so please pray about inviting an unsaved friend or a discouraged believer to church this Sunday to share in a time of worship, the Word, and our potluck!

Midweek Update

2011-11-29T10:15:00.001-08:00

Good morning NCL family,

The AP headline on the front page of Sunday’s paper read, “Why Friday was Black and Blue.” On Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year, a woman in Los Angeles was so intent on getting to a crate of Xbox video games that she pepper-sprayed 20 other customers to clear the path; crowds in New York decided they had enough “mob” power to forget about the “paying” part and looted a clothing store. Shootings, stabbings, storming, and stealing at stores from the West Coast to the East Coast is what society has been reduced to as they begin this wonderful celebration of CHRISTMAS!

What caused this outbreak of shootings, stabbings, storming, and stealing? It turns out that the blame lies not with the perpetrators, but with the proprietors. Here is the AP take: “...experts say a volatile mix of desperate retailers and cutthroat marketing” was the cause of it all. Not one mention of the greed of the customers. Nothing was said about their lust for stuff! Nothing was said about the selfishness of man! The real culprit is corporate America!

What is the real reason for all the chaos at Christmas? It is the product of a lack of discipline in our society today.

You (especially parents) will want to come and join us this Wednesday night as we look deeper into the idea of God’s discipline; we will discover “The Products of Discipline” (Hebrews 12:9-11).

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man who gains understanding” (Proverbs 3:11-13a).

Reminder:
This week the midweek studies are split. Wednesday night the older adults meet at the clubhouse, and Thursday night the younger adults meet at Jeff and Jackie Bird’s home.

God bless you all this week!

Race with Grace

2011-11-28T12:06:00.001-08:00

Hebrews 12:1-13 taught by Pastor Jeff Gipe

Day of Thanksgiving and Praise

2011-11-22T14:53:00.001-08:00

Hebrews 12:1-4 taught by Pastor Jeff Gipe

Midweek Update

2011-11-22T14:31:00.001-08:00

Good afternoon NCL family,

The Pilgrims planted their crops in the spring of 1623, anticipating another bountiful harvest, but summer brought a severe drought which caused the corn to begin to wither away. With no rain in sight and their crops dying, Governor William Bradford said, “set aside a solemn day of humiliation to see ye Lord by humble and fervent prayer in this great distress.”

Everyone gathered in the meeting house early that hot day in repentance and prayer. When they opened the door of the meeting house that evening, the skies were cloudy, and then it began to rain gently on and off for two weeks, which gave them cause for “rejoicing and blessing God.” As Governor Bradford explained:

“It came without either wind or thunder or any violence, and by degrees in abundance, as that ye earth was thoroughly wet and soaked therewith, which did so apparently revive and quicken ye decayed corn and other fruits as was wonderful to see, and made ye Indians astonished to behold; and afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair warm weather as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing.”

During that “lean year” before the harvest came in, the ration was reportedly five kernels of corn per person. But with the abundance of rain, they had a great harvest that year; so they invited all the Natives to celebrate Thanksgiving with them. Before they filled their plates with all that God had blessed them with, the Pilgrims reportedly placed five kernels of corn on each plate as a reminder of God’s goodness, lest they should forget!

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, don’t forget to take time to thank God for all of His many blessings, material and spiritual, which have always been the spirit of this wonderful holiday!

Reminder:

All mid-week studies are cancelled this week, so we won’t see you until Sunday morning when we will learn to “Race with Grace” (Hebrews 12:5-29).

God bless you!

Are You Dead?

2011-11-18T12:17:00.001-08:00

Yes you are... when you are without Christ. When we walk afterthe flesh, when we have carnal thoughts, when we are filled with fear, we aredead. However, we can and have conquered this death, not in our power or might,but in our acceptance of Christ and His act of coming in the flesh.

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak throughthe flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and forsin, condemned sin in the flesh." Romans 8:3

When we allow our thoughts to stray away from the Word, webecome carnally minded. To be carnally minded is death. We are not able toplease the Lord when we are focused on our own flesh.

"So then, those who are in the flesh cannot pleaseGod." Roman 8:8

"...But if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of thebody, you will live." Romans 8:13

The Lord promises to give us life and to dwell within us when weare looking to Him, and that's when we will be filled with joy and peace!

Have a blessed day!

~ Brandon Bridgford

Weekly Update

2011-11-17T13:09:00.001-08:00

Good afternoon NCL family,

During the War of Independence, the Continental Congress made eight Thanksgiving proclamations. President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation under the U.S. Constitution on October 3, 1789, just days after the Bill of Rights was approved. He issued this Thanksgiving proclamation, declaring in part:

“Where it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor... Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789... that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection.”

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever... Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness... Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing” (Psalm 107:1, 8-9, 22).

Come and join us this Sunday as we share together in a very in a special, “Day of Thanksgiving and Praise!”

Missionary Update - Frank & Suzie Gonzalez

2011-11-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

Greetings Friends,

Some of our birthday fun at Starbucks...of course coffee has to be part of it

Suzie and I are doing well but have wrestled through some health issues over the last few weeks. I (Frank) had a nasty throat infection that earned me a trip to the ER that lasted an entire day. Suzie’s back went out as a result of standing in the hospital with me all day and then got a second degree burn on her back from a hot water bottle that she was using to “help” her back pain… still healing from that one. In the midst of all of this, we both recently celebrated our birthdays in the beginning of November. But despite these things and other elements of spiritual warfare we are ALWAYS experiencing God’s faithfulness each day!

A Nation in Crisis…

Hopeless Times: Please remember to pray as Greece continues to work through this difficult time in its history. I am sure that you are all aware of the turmoil that filled the streets here last month. There were a multitude of strikes, and protests gone violent. Recently the Prime Minister was forced to step down due to issues pertaining to the financial crisis. He was replaced soon after. These are all continuing signs of the hardships that this nation is experiencing. It is our prayer that God would grant us open doors to bring hope during such hopeless times.

CC Hellas Happenings…

CCBCE Team & Team Greece in Ancient Corinth for the Day

Bible College Outreach Team: We were blessed with our first outreach team in Greece last month, a ten-man student team from the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Vajta, Hungary. The week was filled with various service projects, prayer times, our normal ministry events, and some visits to a couple of ancient and biblical sights. Beyond the standard ministry things the team had the chance to see Greece up close and personal, as they came during one of the most turbulent weeks of the year. The transportation and various other strikes made it necessary to reinvent our schedule throughout the week multiple times, but despite that we didn’t feel hindered from doing what God had put on our plates. All in all it was a great blessing to us and to the people who attend our fellowship to have them.

Sunday Mornings: We held our first Εκκλησία Της Ελπίδας (Ekklisia Tis Elpidas) Sunday morning services “officially” this week. The Spencers and we met together in their living room and began our study of Philippians. We pray that this small beginning will grow in God’s timing and way. My (Frank) heart is to simply be faithful with the little and not despise the days of small things.
Tuesday Nights: We finished our six month study of the Book of Joshua two weeks ago. This week we will begin an in-depth study of the Gospel of John. Please pray for Frank as he preps for the teachings through John and Philippians on Sunday mornings. Please remember those who are coming to the study in prayer, that they would be fed well and grow, and that God would bring all those whom He desires.
Getting the Word out MORE! Recently we learned of an online Christian radio station here in Greece. This station predominantly broadcasts music but has expressed interest in airing more teaching. When we learned of this it sparked a growing interest in me that has begun developing into a vision. The vision is simple, we are going to begin recording our translated Bible studies through John, edit them down to radio show size segments and seek to have them broadcast. In addition to this we are going to begin working on translating Pastor Chuck’s teachings into Greek as well in preparation for airing. The broadcasting isn’t guaranteed at this time but even so we will at least have a resource available on our church website for people who are hungry for the word of God. Please pray for guidance in this and every possible open door!
Translation Ministry: As a result of this potential open door for a radio ministry and our own weekly Bible studies a great need has been brought to our attention. We need a full time translator. Although this need is nothing new to us, the sense of urgency has increased in recent days. What we are praying for is very specific. We are asking the Lord to raise up a Greek from outside Greece, with a Calvary Chapel background, whom God is calling to Greece as a missionary coming to serve the Greek people. Although we are all studying Greek, it will take a significant amount of time for me to be fluent enough to accurately teach and translate into this language. With that we are asking and trusting the Lord to provide a gifted person with a servants heart called to this ministry.

A Final Note…

Being Transparent… In 2 Corinthians 1:11 Paul writes, “you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.” We want to end this month’s update by sharing about a difficult situation that Suzie and I are in. Our hearts are to always be completely transparent with you all. In short we are having a very difficult time financially. It has become increasingly more difficult over the last year for us to cover our normal bills, and basic living expenses. Our main issue here is a deficiency in regular monthly support. Please know that we are not asking anyone for money or making any sort of sympathy plea. We are earnestly seeking to inform you about our status and asking you to pray. We feel that this is an urgent need that God is leading us to rally prayer support for. God is faithful, believe that He will provide, but ask that you join us in prayer on this that we might rejoice together when He does. We know He hears us!
We genuinely thank you for taking time to read our updates, praying along side with us, and showing an interest in the work that God has called us to.
To read about our current and ongoing prayer needs please click here. If you are interested in knowing how to co-labor with us financially, please click here. Also, to see more please check out our photo gallery.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Frank & Suzie

Missionary Update - Dave & Darlys Bird

2011-11-15T14:58:00.001-08:00

From Jeff Bird:

Please pray for my parents, Dave and DarlysBird serving in Jacmel, Haiti.

There has been multiple home invasionrobberies during the past 3 weeks focusing on foreigners. A number of my parents’ close friendshave been robbed. The thieves are breaking in at night andshooting their guns to show “they mean business”. So far, only one person has been injured bygunfire.

Darlys flew to Florida yesterday to staywith a friend until the situation cools down.

Please pray for Dave as he is there aloneduring the next couple of weeks. Pray for his protection and the thieveswould be caught without any violence.

Thank you for your prayers!

Midweek Update

2011-11-15T11:08:00.001-08:00

Good morning NCL family,

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! To help prepare our hearts and minds as we come together to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, I thought you would enjoy some historical facts regarding the origin of Thanksgiving in America.

The Pilgrims set sail for America on September 6,1620, and for two months they braved the harsh elements of a storm-tossed sea. Upon disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they held a prayer service, and then began to build shelters. They were unprepared for the harsh New England winter, and nearly half of them died before spring. At the end of that grueling winter, an Indian named Samoset approached them and greeted them in their own language, explaining to them that he had learned English from fishermen and traders. A week later, Samoset returned with a friend named Squanto, who lived with the Pilgrims and accepted their Christian faith. Squanto taught the Pilgrims much about how to live in the New World, and he and Samoset helped forge a long lasting peace treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. Pilgrim Governor William Bradford described Squanto as “a special instrument sent of God for our good...and never left us until he died.”

That summer, the Pilgrims, still persevering in prayer and assisted by helpful Indians, reaped a bountiful harvest. As Pilgrim Edward Winslow (later to become Governor) affirmed, “God be praised, we had a good increase of corn. By the goodness of God, we are far from want.” The grateful Pilgrims therefore declared a three-day feast in December 1621 to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends America’s first Thanksgiving festival.

Come and join us this Wednesday night as we come together to praise the Lord with thankful hearts, that we too might be a special instrument sent by God to share the glorious gospel with our family and friends this Thanksgiving season!

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1, 2).

All the historical facts I will be sharing with you can be found at Wallbuilders.com

Quote of the Day

2011-11-14T11:37:00.001-08:00

"O man, I beseech you do not treat God's promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but use them as every day sources of comfort. Trust the Lord whenever your time of need comes on."

~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Missionary Update - Desery Montenegro (click to enlarge)

2011-11-10T11:50:00.001-08:00

How Faith Works

2011-11-10T11:48:00.001-08:00

Good morningNCL family,

"Thegreat achievers in history have been the men and women who could see theinvisible and strive to reach it. Explorers, inventors, liberators, andpioneers in every field have always been characterized by the steady eye thatsees the invisible and strives for the seemingly impossible." - WarrenW. Weirsbe

Last Sunday wediscovered "What Faith Is" and this coming Sunday we will discover"How Faith Works." True Bible faith is the confident obedienceto God's Word in spite of circumstances and consequences. Many OldTestament saints exemplified this faith. Hebrews 11 applauds many ofthese, holding them up as an example. We see the faith of Abel, Enoch,Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses' parents, Moses, Israel during theexodus, Gideon, David, Samuel, Isaiah and Rahab, yes, even Rahab. All ofthem lived by faith, placing their confidence in things they could not see!

The amazingthing about these saints who lived by faith was that they departed life withoutreceiving God's promise. But as for you and me, we can experience the"something better" which God made available through Christ. Aswe all run the race of faith in Christ, the heros of faith in Hebrews arecertain to encourage us to greater faith.

May the Lordrichly bless all of you this week! See you Sunday!

2011-11-09T11:46:00.001-08:00

Midweek Update

2011-11-08T10:38:00.001-08:00

Good morning NCL family,

“But the just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4b). When the prophet Habakkuk penned these prophetic words, evil and injustice seemed to be prevailing. Like Habakkuk, many of us feel angry and discouraged as we look at what goes on in the world. Habakkuk complained about it to God, and God’s answer to him is the same answer He would give you and me today: “Wait for it!” It isn’t easy to be patient and to persevere during times like these, but God would say to us today, "Be patient saint, I will work out my plans in my perfect timing and punishment of sin will certainly come."

“The just shall live by faith” is also translated, “the righteous shall live by trust!” To trust God fully means to trust Him even when we don’t understand why certain events take place. This verse inspired Paul when writing about the gospel of Jesus Christ, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” Also, when he was writing about the law he said, “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for the just shall live by faith.” Lastly, we see that this verse is quoted by the writer of Hebrews just before the famous chapter on faith.

These words are very helpful for all Christians who must live through difficult times without seeing signs of hope. Christians must trust that God is directing all things according to His perfect will!

Who have you put your trust in today? Consider these words, and put your trust in Jesus today and God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding!

Reminder:
The young adults are meeting at 7PM at Jeff and Jackie’s home on Thursday night, and we are having our regular midweek study Wednesday night at the clubhouse.

Our New Logo

2011-11-07T11:11:00.001-08:00

Submission to God

2011-11-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

Submission is an ugly word to some, but submission to God is anessential and beautiful thing. It is through submission that we begin to seeGod's perfect plan for our lives. When we submit to God, we are giving Himcomplete control.

The funny part is, we are never in control of our life, so whenwe submit to God we are simply giving control back to Him who already has it.We are recognizing the proper relationship between us and God.

When we aren't submitting to God, we are living blindfolded,unaware of how insufficient we are in and of ourselves. This is exactly whatSatan tempted Eve with in the garden of Eden, telling here she could be likeGod. Satan's whole desire is to have us feel like we don't need God, that wecan do it all on our own. He hates when we make God the Lord over our life.

James 4:7 says, "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the deviland he will flee from you." It's when we submit to God that we receiveGod's blessing directly into our lives. God's path for our life is perfect, butHe can only show us where it is when we are open and obedient to Him. That'swhy James 4:10 goes on to say "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,and He will lift you up."

Be lifted up today by not looking to yourself, but trusting inthe Lord who has made the perfect path before you!

~ Tyler Gipe

What Faith Is

2011-11-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 11:1-7

Good afternoon NCL family,

“The Saints’ Hall of Fame,” “The Heroes of Faith,” The Honor Roll of the Old Testament Saints,” “The Westminster Abby of Scripture,” and “The Faith Chapter” are but a few of the titles that have been given to Hebrews 11. My personal favorite is “The Heroes of Faith!”

Most all people love to read about heroes: war heroes, athletic heroes, and political or social heroes. Most all pastors love to preach on this chapter that describes the faithful heroes of the Old Testament!

These heroes of faith were people who trusted God, even when they were put down and persecuted. They maintained their faith even though they never received in their lifetime all the blessings that God had promised them. How can I have this kind of faith?

This chapter centers on what faith is. There is a need for clarity on this word, “faith,” though. The world has its own ideas of what faith is, but the Word of God defines “What Faith Is” (Hebrews 11:1-7) perfectly!

The apostle John wrote, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

The Old Testament saints “overcame” the trials and tribulations of the world by “faith!” They simply took God at His Word and acted on it, and He honored their faith and gave them victory. For us New Testament saints the same truth applies. We too can overcome the trials and tribulations of the world by faith in Jesus Christ, by believing what He says and acting on it, and He will honor our faith and give us victory.

Faith is not simply saying that what God says is true; true faith is acting on what God says because it is true!

Reminders:

1. This Sunday is Potluck so please remember to bring a dish to share with the church and bring an unsaved friend to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with!

2. Time changes on Sunday, so turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday and enjoy your extra hour of sleep!

Missionary Update - Dave & Darlys Bird

2011-11-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

click to view

2011-11-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon NCL family,

"Christian love is not a passing emotion; it is a permanent devotion, a deep desire to please Christ and to do His will!"

Jesus said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21). Jesus makes it very clear that loving God means obeying God. The two cannot be separated. Many people would protest, "But that is too hard! How can we consistently obey?" The apostle John wrote, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). Remember your first romance? Chances are you did all you could do to please your sweetheart. And you did it gladly! Love always seeks to please. What commands of the Lord will you lovingly fulfill today?

John also wrote, "And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also" (1 John 4:21). Paul, writing to various churches, often thanked God for the evidence of the believers' love for one another: "I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:15-16). "In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints" (Colossians 1:3-4). "Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:3).I, like Paul, am thanking God for the evidence of the love you have for one another. I am also praying that you would daily share that love with one another!

Wednesday night the men will meet at the clubhouse, and the women will meet at the Homs' home at 7PM!

God bless you all!

Missionary Update - The Kulas

2011-10-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

Hi There,

Thanks so much for your prayers. Well it looks like I have cervical stenosis or narrowing of the center of the spinal column in my neck which is causing pain and tingling in various parts of my body. Because it involves more than one level of vertabrae, the doctor doesn't think an operation is wise at this time. He says I am a candidate for major surgery in about 5 years. He wants me to try to treat it the best I can with physical therapy which doesn't widen the canal but can minimize pain. Surgery is a last resort.

I am asking God for His healing touch believing that He is the healer. Wanting to thank you for support and prayer.

"Is anything too hard for Me?" Jer 32:27-26

Kurt & Kendall

Missionary Update - Don & Marta Patten

2011-10-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

Newsfrom Don and Marta in October

Octoberhas been a festive month. In the Jewish calendar there are three Biblicalgathering during three weeks in the fall. We have been able to spend timetogether with believers and also enjoy some of the special times during thisseason. We have mostly been in Jerusalem though we still served on Fridayand Saturdays in Ariel. The Russian believers are growing and doing wellas we study the Gospel of Mark. The Shabbat service in Ariel isencouraging and even though there are not a lot of people gathering we have agrowing sense of family as we are together. Again this month wetraveled to Afula in the North to continue in helping the Israeli family thatimmigrated from Peru. It is a real joy to see them progressing as we arestudying the Bible in a verse by verse method that focuses on how we can applywhat is written to our lives. The couple in Afula have been believers forquite a while and now they have such excitement to be able to understand theBible on their own. We are praying for the Lord to bring othersfrom Afula to them and that there could be a home Bible study. The lastvisit we made coincided with one of their son’s birthday and we can see thatour relationship is growing with the children of the families we areserving. In Ariel, the children attending the serves and are growing inthe Lord and we have joy in our time with them. There is real need topray for the children of believers as there are many pressures to take themaway from the Lord. Most children are the only believers in theirclasses. This last month we have been able to visit a few Biblical sights withsome friends and we feel encouraged to be in Israel and to serve God here.

Nowthat October is coming to an end we are starting to think of November. David and Leah will be travel the first two weeks so I will be teaching theservices on Saturday. Pray for the Lord to direct me to the passages ofscripture to share from. Also in November we travel to the U.S. Welook forward to seeing family and friends. After a few days in New Yorkwe will spend two weeks in Kansas beginning Nov.23rd and then one month inCalifornia starting Dec. 9th. It has been about a year and seven monthssince we have been in the states so we really desire to see everyone. Ifwe could start to make arrangements to see as many people as possible thatwould be great.

Thankyou for praying for us and encouraging us,

Don andMarta Patten

Prayfor the peace of Jerusalem and Israel.  

Pray for insight in teaching inNovember on Friday and Saturdays.

Prayfor the believers and their children to be established in the word of God.

Prayfor the believers to be a light and for many people in Israel to repent andreceive the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus.

Prayfor our time in the U.S. that we might strengthen our relationships with familyand friends.

Pray forJamie who was laid off in Ca. and is looking for a job.

The Provision That Creates Privilege

2011-10-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 10:19-25

Goodmorning NCL family,   

Christians are to encourage one another. Aword of encouragement at the right moment can be the difference between someonestaying strong in the faith or slipping away. Believers ought to be sensitiveto one another and encourage one another. The Bible gives severalexamples of encouragement and commands believers to encourage each other!   

"Forwhatever things were written before were written for your learning, that wethrough the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Nowmay the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward oneanother, according to Christ Jesus" (Romans 15:4-5). 

"Thereforecomfort each other and edify one another" (1 Thessalonians 5:11).   

"Nowwe exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted,uphold the weak, be patient with all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14).   

"Forwe have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of thesaints have been refreshed by you" (Philemon 1:7).   

"But exhortone another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardenedthrough the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).   

"BySilvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to youbriefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in whichyou stand" (1 Peter 5:12).   

Do you want to grow as a Christian?Don't do it alone! We need each other to comfort, to learn, to exhort, towarn, and to love one another! There is no better place to do this thenwhen believers come together to worship the Lord together! The time wespend together at church meetings are not to be discouraging butencouraging. Church is to be a place where we can hear the tremendous,radical principles of Christian faith being played out in the transformed livesof others! To hear what God has done, is doing, and the hope we have inwhat He is going to do in each of our lives should be shared with one another!   

Ifour services were like this, we would have no trouble in getting people to comeout!    

This Sunday we are going to learn the secret to Christian livingas described in "The Provision that Creates Privilege" (Hebrews10:19-25).   

God bless you all!

Missionary Update - The Kulas

2011-10-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Gang,

Needing much prayer as we go out to meet the neurosurgeonregarding my neck. I guess there are some real problems that needimmediate attention in their thinking. Kendall and I are driving toWarsaw now. Need much prayer for wisdom, peace and most of all healing.

Thanks,

Kurt & Kendall

Mid-Week Update

2011-10-25T10:45:00.001-07:00

Good morning NCL family,

"'Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.' He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:9-10).

God’s will was accomplished through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all! Seven times, in less than two chapters, the writer of Hebrews uses the phrase, “once for all!” It is repeated so that every believer would remember the finality of Christ’s sacrifice! Christ’s sacrifice of obedience saved us!

When you wonder if you can make it through another day... where the money will come from to help you pay... where your relationships are heading... where your future is pointing... think about how Christ obeyed! “Behold, I have come to do Your will!”

When you wonder why you are so easily tempted, so confused, so hurt by others... think about how Christ obeyed. Jesus said, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).

Today, when you wonder who’s in charge of your life... think about how Christ obeyed!

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people” (Exodus 19:5).

This week the mid-week studies are Wednesday night at the clubhouse and Thursday night (Young Adults) at Jeff and Jackie’s house.

I pray the Lord richly bless you all this week!

The Judgment Seat

2011-10-21T06:28:00.001-07:00

So if you haven’t heard, the ruthless dictator of Libya, Moammar Gadhafi, has been recently hunted down and executed by rebel forces. The former dictator had been in hiding for months while his country was in the midst of a civil war to oust the former government. Gadhafi had ruled Libya for over 40 years with a peculiar regime that lived in opulence while promoting violence. It is said that he indulged himself in a fairytale-like world of luxury while the people of Libya suffered in poverty. Pictures and videos released show Gadhafi just before his death in a humble state. How ironic that one who caused much of the oppression in Libya would be killed in a primitive manner by the very ones who he had oppressed. This once powerful man died in a state of absolute disgrace and judgment in a situation that was out of his control. In an instant, this ruler was standing before the King of Kings to address his spiritual condition.

These events lead me to be reminded that no matter who one may be on earth, all will humbly stand before the judgment seat of Christ upon absence from this earth. Standing at the throne of Christ, it won’t matter if one on earth was rich or poor, powerful or weak. All that will matter is if one had chosen to rely upon Christ to cover his or her transgressions while on earth.

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

It’s good to be reminded that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

How awesome this day is for believers as we will be in heaven with our Savior. On the other side, it will be a dreadful day for those who had not accepted Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10 causes Christians to praise the Lord for his forgiveness, but also reminds Christians that we need to spread the good news to others as they too will one day stand before the judgment seat.

I encourage you today to do 2 things:

1. Praise Jesus for his unexplainable forgiveness of our sins

2. Pray for opportunities to share the forgiveness that Christ offers to others

May the Lord richly bless you as you seek after Him-

~ Jeff Bird

Missionary Update - The Kulas

2011-10-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Gang,

Just wanted to get out a prayer update...

Praise the Lord for His work in Slawek's life. Slawek is a guy who was coming to our fellowship for some time but was secretly struggling with alcohol. He was a former Jehovah Witness and some in his family still are. He went back to drinking and out of desperation one night apparently drank something to the equivalent of brake fluid which landed him in the hospital on dialysis with his kidneys 90% gone. The doctors told his wife to put things in order because he wouldn't make it. She called Tytus in to pray for him and described his hospital room as feeling like she was in hell. She is not a believer and doesn't understand spiritual warfare. Tytus went in and had the same feeling come over him. He left the room in fear. Then a priest came in to say some prayers and Tytus went back in and felt the same oppression and fear so he yelled out, "In the name of Jesus, leave." Slawek began to convulse on the bed and then a calm came over him and the entire room. The nurses ran in and asked what happened and Tytus told them it was demonic oppression. The next day Slawek was off of dialysis with fully functioning kidneys. Apparently, a few years earlier, he had been "healed" by a man who was into occult practices and the enemy wasn't letting go. Pray for Tytus as he ministers Christ to Slawek and his family. The door is wide open.

I would also like to praise the Lord for blessing the ladies Bible study two weeks ago. There was a good turn out and Kendall seemed pleased with the meeting.

Pray for the fellowship, there seems to be a real attack of the enemy on the fellowship in general. Please keep the homeless/alcoholics ministry in prayer along with the Monday night Bible study. The group seems to be enjoying our time together but we need much grace and outpouring of the Spirit.

Please pray for our kids in school that God would bless their education and give them not only breadth of mind, but also a heart full of Jesus as they face various battles and situations.

Friday I will be going to the medical clinic in Warsaw for an MRI on my neck. It seems from the x-ray my vertebrae are not very healthy and possibly compressing some nerves causing pain in various places. We are praying for a miracle of healing and that I won't have to undergo surgery. Please also pray for peace in our hearts in all this.

Thanks so much for praying.

Kurt & Kendall

The Divine Design

2011-10-20T10:11:00.001-07:00

Good morning NCL family,

“When the law is written in the heart, it means that the love of God’s law and of Himself has now become the moving power of life.” ~ Andrew Murray

When God came down on Mount Sinai in thunder and lightning to give the law, Israel was greatly afraid. They said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:19). The Israelites thought it was simply a matter of hearing and knowing and obeying. They didn’t know that it is only the presence and the power of God humbling them and making them afraid that could conquer the power of sin and give the power to obey.

It is so much easier for us to receive instruction from man than to wait and hear the voice of God speak to us. So many Christians live life like this today, as they seek to serve God without ever seeking to simply live in the presence and power of God. Many are faithful and diligent in studying the Bible and in reading or hearing Bible teachings, but in taking the time to have personal interaction with God, which makes the Christian life possible, this they do not seek.

If you want to be delivered from all of this, learn to read the Word in the New Covenant Spirit. The New Covenant says, “I will put My law in their minds, and I will write in on their hearts” (Jer. 31:33), this means that the teaching of God’s Word is an outward duty, but an inward teaching that is a delight as it reveals to you the divine assurance of God living in you!

The Bible is the New Covenant and the Bible cannot be understood without the teachings of the Holy Spirit. Be careful that you don’t let your earnest Bible study, your excellent books, or your terrific teachers take the place of the Holy Spirit. Pray daily asking the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you, giving you all wisdom and power and revelation of His divine promises written in His Law.

This Sunday morning we are going to discover that all of this was part of “The Divine Design” (Hebrews 10:1-18).

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).

God bless you!

Jerusalem

2011-10-19T10:36:00.001-07:00

Mid-Week Update

2011-10-18T11:21:00.001-07:00

Good morning NCL family,

I would venture to say that the source of most of the problems people have in their Christian walk relates to two things: either they are not worshiping six days a week with their life, or they are not worshiping one day a week with the saints. We need both!

The fact is, Christians cannot succeed on their own; we need one another to enjoy the spiritual success we all desire. I just read this wonderful story, and I want to share with you: A pastor went to see a man who didn’t attend church very faithfully. The man was sitting before a fire, watching the warm glow of the coals. It was a very cold winter day, but the coals were red hot, and the fire was warm. The pastor pleaded with the man to be more faithful in meeting with the people of God, but the man didn’t seem to be getting the message.

So the pastor took the tongs beside the fireplace, pulled open the screen, and reached in and began to separate all the coals. When none of the coals were touching the others, he stood and watched in silence. In a matter of moments, they were all cold. “That’s what’s happening in your life,” he told the man. “As soon as you isolate yourself from God’s people, the fire goes out.” The man got the message!

As true worshipers, we must bring a worshiping heart to stimulate others while being stimulated to love and good works. The way we worship at church will be the way we worship in the world. If we worship with a whole heart in church, then we will worship with a whole heart in the world.

Join us tomorrow night that we might stoke the fire in our hearts together!

“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making a melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:18b-21).

God bless you all!

Cheesy

2011-10-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Taking Up Our Cross and Following Jesus

2011-10-14T13:49:00.001-07:00

"If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself,take up his cross daily and follow me..." Luke 9:23

This is one of those commandments that is much easier said thandone. What does it mean to deny ourselves? Satisfying our flesh is one of man'smost difficult desires to ignore. Thinking about myself and what would be bestfor me is something that happens every second of every day. I guarantee I willnever lose the desire to constantly be thinking of myself. However, using thatselfish draw to serve Him can be a glorious thing. If we lacked the desire tosatisfy our own flesh there would be no sacrifice; if it were easy, everyonewould want to be a Christian. We as believers know that it is not an easy taskto deny ourselves, but we do know that through Christ all things are possible.

How do we deny ourselves? We take up our cross. When we have alife that is centered on Christ it is impossible to be centered on self. Wecannot be centered on two things at once, so when we take our eyes off of Jesusour thoughts quickly fall back onto ourselves. That is why Jesus tells us totake up our cross DAILY! Surrendering my selfish desires over to Jesus issomething we need to aim for daily. It's not an easy road but Jesus promises itwill be a blessed one.

Have a blessed day!

~ Brandon Bridgford

A Clear Conscience

2011-10-13T15:19:00.001-07:00

Hebrews 9

Good afternoon NCL family,

It has been said that “a clear conscience is a soft pillow!” Is that saying true of you?

We each have a conscience. We may not be able to totally understand it, and it doesn’t seem as though we can even control it, but we all have one. A conscience has been defined as “that still, small voice that makes you feel smaller still,” or, as one little boy put it, “It is that which feels bad when everything else feels good.” We often try to clean our conscience by doing external good works or religious activities, but these will never give us a clear conscience.

We learned last Sunday that the ministry of the New Covenant is internal: “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10). This work is accomplished by the Spirit of God. Here is what the apostle Paul wrote about this, “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; you are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone but on tables of flesh, that is, of the heart!” (2 Corinthians 3:1-3).

The fact is: the Spirit cannot dwell in us if Jesus had not paid the price for us! Cleansing our conscience cannot be done by some external good work or religious activity; it demands internal power!

This Sunday we are going to see how we can have the internal power needed to give us “A Clear Conscience” (Hebrews 9).

God bless you all!

Mid-Week Update

2011-10-11T11:22:00.001-07:00

Good morning NCL family,

Charles Wesley wrote, “No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’ eternal throne, and claim the crown, thro’ Christ my own. Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!”

“And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:4-5).

The Old Covenant was graven on stone, the New Covenant is written in our hearts and minds. The Old could be written in ink and was in the letter that kills, but the New is of the Spirit that brings life. The Old was a ministry of condemnation and death, the New is of righteousness and life! Which are you living today; the Old or the New Covenant?

This Wednesday and Thursday (young adults) we will be looking deeper into how we can live the New Covenant life that God has promised us!

God bless you all!

Missionary Update - Frank & Suzie Gonzalez

2011-10-10T11:25:00.001-07:00

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest issue of the Gonzo Gazette. We pray that you find it informative and enjoyable.

Needs of the Nation…

Absence of Religious Freedom: We recently were made aware of a Greek pastor on Crete who is being sent to prison for leading a Greek youth to Christ. Although this is not a very common occurrence it does happen and we should not forget to pray! Click here to learn more and know how to pray for Greece and this specific pastor.

Riot-Protesting Syntagma Athens

Economic Crisis: Protesting, rioting and workers strikes are up and running again. As most of you know Greece is in a very difficult financial situation. Many of the people we know here are getting hit hard by all of this on an economic level. The road ahead isn’t looking very bright at this point so please continue to pray for this nation, especially for the gospel of hope to go forth in such hopeless times. Most of the protesting is downtown and though we live only about fifteen minutes away from it, we see little of it personally, so please don’t worry about us, just pray!

Sharing the Word…

Frank teaching at ICF

ICF: As mentioned in our last update I was invited to cover Sunday morning services for the month of September at International Christian Fellowship in Athens. Our time there was a blessing as we enjoyed fellowship with this congregation of about 60. I taught the book of Jonah and on our final Sunday I asked Kristin to cover the worship. The worship leader was away at a retreat so the need presented itself. To us, it was a warm up experience for our team to serve together on a formal Sunday morning church service.

CC Hellas Happenings…

Bible study in the Spencer home (Frank teaching through Joshua)

Tuesday Night Bible Study: Our journey through Joshua is nearing its end. We will be finished in two weeks time. Next up on the teaching agenda is the Gospel of John. But before we begin this new adventure I will be taking a two-week teaching break. Travis will be teaching the Tuesday night study during that time while I prepare for our studies through John.

Sunday Services: We are planning to begin Sunday morning services “officially” next month. Our first meeting will be on November 6. Until then our team is meeting together on Sunday mornings for a time of prayer, worship and devotion. Our plan for November is to continue meeting in the home for now but soon hope to move into a public venue as we are still on the hunt. Please continue to pray for a translator.

Church Name: Through prayer and much consideration we have decided upon a Greek name for our church, Ekklisia Tis Elpidas. In Greek this literally means, the church of the hope. Though we will also maintain our English name, Calvary Chapel Hellas, we need to create a Greek name, as Calvary Chapel is not translatable.

Website: We have created a temporary church website on wordpress.com. Currently the worpress.com site is in our budget (it’s free) but it is limited. We will move from this site to a more appropriate one with all the necessary bells and whistles once our budget allows. You can find our church site at the following address:https://etelpidas.wordpress.com/

It’s All Greek to Me…

Language study: Our team began formal Greek studies last week. The necessity of learning the Greek language cannot be stressed enough. We can’t minister to people or get to know them in a deeper way unless we can speak to them. On paper the funds for this really aren’t there, but because this is such a serious need we have stepped out in faith trusting that God will provide. Please pray for God’s blessing upon or learning and His provision to pay our teacher. The brother teaching us is a Greek believer who attends our Bible study.

Suzie with Anastasia (the Kalamaki lady)

The Kalamaki Connection: Suzie and I are slowly building relationships with our neighbors and the shopkeepers in our neighborhood. One of these individuals is the lady who owns the grill at our local outdoor market. One of the favored dishes here is called, souvlaki, or kalamaki, depending on where you are from in Greece. Kalamaki literally means stick and that’s exactly what it is, a meat stick. They are grilled to perfection over smoky wood coals and continuously brushed with a mixture of oil, lemon juice, salt and oregano. To top it off they’re only about 1€! Kalamaki are commonly sold in the outdoor markets (laiki) that are common in Greece. When we shop at our local outdoor market for our produce we always get one. Over time we have been getting to know the lady who owns it. Her name is Anastasia. We speak with her every time and are always given the opportunity to use the little Greek we know with her as she knows no English beyond, hello and goodbye. She has taken a liking to Suzie and any time I show up without her she always asks where she is. They are now on a hug and a Greek cheek-to-cheek kissing basis. Please pray for greater open doors with Anastasia, and her adult daughter Tina who run this little cookery.

It All Adds Up…

Answering Questions about our Financial Support System: People commonly ask us about how we receive our income as missionaries and whether or not we work. We do work, but our work is the ministry that we are committed to. We personally are unable to legally hold a job, as we neither have citizenship nor can attain work visas. This means that we are reliant upon God providing through church support and individual monthly gifts. In short the churches provide a base amount that covers a portion of our monthly expenses (rent, food, bills, health insurance, ministry expenses, etc.) but individual givers make up the difference for these needs. We never know what we will get each month but know that God is not broke, and is always faithful to provide. Our heart in explaining this is to simply make you aware of the situation and how our support system works. We pray that this helps you to understand and to prayerfully consider the role that God has called you to personally. If you are interested in knowing how to give personally please click here.

Around the Corner this Month…

CCBCE Team: An outreach team from the CC Bible college in Hungary is coming to minister with us from October 14-22. We are planning to spend time on University campuses reaching out to students and hosting an English club meeting. There are also a couple of service projects that we will be hitting that week as well. Please keep this all in prayer that God would give us a fruitful week and that he would protect us while sharing the gospel. As most of you know it is illegal to share the gospel in Greece.

To read about our current and ongoing prayer needs please click here.

Thank you again! May the Lord continue to bless you and encourage you as you serve Him in your homes and ministries.

In His Grace,

Frank & Suzie

Partakers of the Divine Nature

2011-10-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

We were created in the image of God. Before sin we were led by the Spirit. It was through the Spirit we were united with God. Once sin entered the world, we were no longer ruled by the Spirit but by the flesh.

When we repented from sin we turned away from it - escaped it, and faced Jesus, our glorious Lord and Savior. It was in this moment we were reconnected with God, restored back to His image! Being clothed with the righteousness of Jesus, we were no longer separated from the Father.

It is the knowledge of this fact and the belief in God's promises that now allows us to partake of the divine nature. "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

1 Peter 1:2-4

~ Tyler Gipe

Missionary Update - Desery Montenegro (click to enlarge)

2011-10-06T14:56:00.001-07:00

A New Covenant

2011-10-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 8

Good morning NCL family,

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, searched for many years to find assurance of his salvation. He met people who had this experience, but he lacked it. He sought assurance and forgiveness by working, praying, reading the Bible, attending church, and sacrificing. A stint as a missionary in the state of Georgia in the 1730s brought him disillusionment. He returned from the trip with this observation, “I went to America to convert the Indians; but, oh, who shall convert me?”

After his return from Georgia, he continued to search for peace with God. Gradually it dawned on him that God would not be pleased with feeble efforts to gain divine love. He began to spend time in the company of a group of Christ-centered Christians know as Moravians. During his travels across the Atlantic Ocean, their devotion challenged him.

On Wednesday, May 24, 1738, during a Bible study in London, the light of the gospel truth broke upon him. He explained his experience:

“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death!”

Wesley was rejoicing in the forgiveness of his sins. He had tried for years to find forgiveness, and he found it when he placed his hope in God’s mercy. One of the greatest joys believers find is the assurance of forgiven sin. We do not find it by being good, going to church, attempting to keep The Ten Commandments, or any sort of self effort.

We find a new hope when we live each day knowing God has forgiven our sins. Hebrews presents Christ as a High Priest, who can give all wanderers this type of hope. Do you know any wanderers that may be struggling with the assurance of their salvation? Please be praying about inviting them to church this Sunday as we look at “A New Covenant,” it's certain to renew their hope (Hebrews 8).

“'For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,' says the Lord: 'I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people'” (Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10).

God bless you all!

Missionary Update - Don & Marta Patten

2011-10-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

SeptemberNews from Don and Marta in Israel

InSeptember, we spent time with believers from Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia andIsrael. Amazingly enough we did not need to fly to those places we justtook the bus to various cities within Israel.

We arecontinuing the Inductive Bible Study course with the Peruvian family inAfula. They were very encouraged and said, “we never studied the Bibleourselves and had such a deep understanding.” The father is praying andpreparing to host a home Bible study in the future. They have some familyin Afula that are willing to gather to study and to share God's Word. Wealso traveled to Beersheba and met with a large Spanish speaking family fromPeru and one person from Puerto Rico. David Ortiz and I shared andencouraged them in the Word and testimonies. One of the sons is namedGorge and is in Peru going through drug rehabilitation after an overdose. His mother lives in Israel and is in distress, we prayed with them and manywere crying and drawing closer to the Lord. The mother is traveling toPeru to try to encourage Gorge to turn to the Lord so pray for him.  In themiddle of September, we started house sitting in Jerusalem. We have theopportunity to serve at Christ Church in the Old City on Sunday's. TheChurch was built in 1849 and is a place that people from many nations gather toworship. The pastor is teaching verse by verse and awakening people tothe Jewish foundation of faith and to a strong walk with the Lord, not justreligious traditions. We have visited some Biblical sites here inJerusalem and also helped some friends to see the places where the events ofthe Bible took place.

We arecontinuing to serve in Ariel on Friday and Saturdays. We gather with theRussian believers on Fridays. Recently, we finished the letter to theColossians and we started the Gospel of Mark and the Lord is really blessingthe home study. At the Saturday Shabbat service in Ariel, David Ortizis teaching and Marta is helping Leah with the worship. We are currentlycelebrating the Biblical holy days that take place during autumn. Wecelebrated Rosh Hashana (meaning head of the year/ New Year). It is celebratedwith the blowing of the ram’s horn, “shofar” in Hebrew, and brings anexpectation of the coming of the Lord.

ThisSaturday, Oct. 8, is the Day of Atonement, “Yom Kippur.” During the Biblical times,the high priest would enter into the most holy area of the temple with theblood of the offerings to make atonement for his sins and the sins of thepeople. It was the only day that people were commanded to fast as theyreflected on how sin separates us from God and they would draw close tothe Lord. We are thankful that Jesus gave His life blood to cover our guiltand sin and that He is the perfect sacrifice. The letter that James wrotesays “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Then he lists someways to draw near to God. We have taken this time to turn from some ofthe distractions and to seek the Lord. Perhaps you can also reduce thetime that you follow distractions and increase your time with the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 says that we must approach God in faith and that “He is arewarder of those that diligently seek him”.

Prayfor the peace of Jerusalem and Israel.  

Pray for us as we take buses todifferent places and there have been attacks on cars and buses after thetension from the recent U.N. meetings.

Prayfor the believers here to be established in the Word of God.

Prayfor the believers to be a light and for many people in Israel to repent andreceive the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus.

Praythat we become more proficient in Russian, Hebrew, and Marta’s Spanish.

We arethankful for your prayers, 

Don and Marta Patten

Let us knowhow we can pray for you. Also keep Kefas in Nigeria in prayer. Contact us if you desire to help in some way.

Mid-Week Update

2011-10-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

Goodmorning NCL family,

Theapostle John wrote, "No one has seen God at any time." Thereason this is true is because "God is Spirit" (John 4:24) andbecause the glory of His "face" is far too wonderful for usun-glorious people to see. However, just as Christ came to reveal to theworld what God is like, so now Christians are supposed to be the visible faceof God. We are the body of Christ: His hands, His feet, His primary meansfor working in this world. And when we come together in true unity anddemonstrate God's love, the world will see that God lives in us. We makeGod visible by loving each other and by loving those who have not yet becomepart of the body of Christ.

Howcan we make God more visible in our lives? By gathering together withother believers and evaluating how well we are revealing God to theworld. We, who are part of the body of Christ, need to be working withone another as a body by praying together, searching the Scripture together,and ministering to one another so that we can make His love visible.

ThisWednesday night the men will be gathering together at the clubhouse and thewomen at the Homs' home at 7PM to pray, search, and minister to one another sothose in the world will see that God's love is in us! "God islove" and "perfect love casts out all fear!"

God blessyou all!

2011-10-03T11:02:00.001-07:00

His Hands?

2011-09-30T15:30:00.001-07:00

Mysterious Melchizedek

2011-09-29T14:46:00.001-07:00

Hebrews 7

Good afternoon NCL family,

In Hebrews chapter five we were introduced to the mysterious Melchizedek. Because the Jewish Christians had become dull of hearing, we have had to wait in the wings for some time; now, in chapter seven, Melchizedek takes center stage but only as a shadow of a very remarkable Savior.

The mystery of Melchizedek has mesmerized millions of people for thousands of years. It is interesting because he is only mentioned a few times in the entire Bible. He appeared once in Genesis 14:17-24, once in Psalm 110:4 and here in Hebrews. But the Holy Spirit reached back into history to pull out those two passages to present a very important truth: The Priesthood of Jesus Christ is superior to all the other priesthoods!

The Jewish nation was accustomed to the priesthood of the tribe of Levi under Aaron, the first high priest appointed by God. The writer affirms that priesthood has ended because we now have a “better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:19).

That better hope is Jesus Christ, for He has risen and ascended and lives forever! And because He lives forever, He is the permanent priesthood. The work of atonement is complete and our heavenly status is sure, but His work as high priest continues in intercession.

Listen to these wonderful words, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Who wants more? Here is the promise of one who is able to save “completely,” “to the end.” For assurance in the hour of doubt or testing, this verse ranks alongside the promise of Jesus loving us “to the end!” It speaks of absolute, complete, unending love! We all depend upon human love, but, inevitably, there will be disappointments and failings. This is different with Him. Oh, what a friend we have in Jesus!

This Sunday is our potluck! Please bring a dish to share and a friend to share the good news of Jesus Christ with, as we open the word of God and discover the meaning of this “Mysterious Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7).

2011-09-28T19:47:00.001-07:00

Mid-Week Update

2011-09-27T10:47:00.001-07:00

Good morning NCL family,

Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing!"

What was Abram's knowledge of God? When Abram heard from God he had been an idolater for 75 years, and God called him to leave his country and his home and Abram obeyed! We all ought to obey God as Abraham obeyed Him!

What was to follow Abraham's obedience? "I will make you a great nation; I will bless and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing!" Abraham was promised that he would be a blessing to all people because of his obedience, not because of his knowledge! It is the Spirit-filled life that draws men to Christ! Abraham was a man full of God and all people would be drawn to God because of his obedience!

Today we have much greater knowledge of God than Abraham did, for we have the Word of God at our fingertips! We have seen His Word come to pass, we see the promise of the Spirit-filled life in the present, and we have the hope of heaven in the future! If Abraham obeyed without much knowledge of God, should we, with all that has been revealed to us, not obey?

The promise to Abraham is also a promise for you! When we are obedient and live the Spirit-filled life, people will be drawn to God and will be blessed! What an awesome privilege it is to be called by God!

This Wednesday night we are going to look at some deeper discoveries found in Hebrews 6; they are certain to deepen your relationship with "this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast!"

Missionary Update - Kurt & Kendall Kula

2011-09-26T11:15:00.001-07:00

HiGang,

Just aquick update...

My timein the Ukraine was real fruitful. Thank you so much for theprayers. Both the church retreat in Kiev and the time spent with thestudents in the Missions Training Program in Ternopil were very fruitful. Kendall managed well with the kids, juggling all their school schedulesand extra curricular activities.

Tomorrowevening we begin our Monday night school of the Bible. I plan to dividethe evening up into two sections. The first will be a course on how tostudy and teach the Bible. The second half we will study principles ofministry from the book of Acts. Please pray for a fruitful time and thatGod would anoint me to equip others to do the work of the ministry.

Like toask for continued prayer for our kids in school. They are off to a goodstart but it is real challenging, especially for Abbey who has 13 subjectsincluding, math, Polish, German, English, physics, biology, chemistry, history,social studies and more.

Thankingthe Lord for a great meeting with the new Baptist pastor Raphael and his wifeSylvia. They had us over for breakfast yesterday and it was a greatpleasure getting to know them. Raphael was a Catholic priest who came toknow Christ in a renewal movement. As a priest he studied the book ofRomans and Galatians which resulted in him leaving the church and becoming apastor. His family has disowned him. He is presently teachingthrough the book of Mark which excites me since I know very few pastors whoteach verse-by-verse here in Poland. We are praying that we can be ablessing and an encouragement to them as they begin their ministry here inRadom.

Thankyou for praying!

Kurt& Kendall

Missionary Update - Frank & Suzie Gonzalez

2011-09-23T12:44:00.001-07:00

Dear Prayer Partners,

Please remember the following ministryand personal prayer needs in your daily prayers!

Thanks for co-laboring with us through your loving prayers, encouraging emails, and your amazing support!!

Ministry…

The State of the Nation: Please remember Greece in your prayers. As many of you know the country is in a very difficult economic situation. If things don’t change by October 22 Greece will run out of money and go into default on its loans. This will have a disastrous effect upon the country and the people of Greece. The people in our fellowship have really begun to feel this; some are in danger of losing their jobs, others are having their pensions cut. People are understandably very worried. Please pray that God would give those in control wisdom and boldness to do the right things, that God would use this to open people’s hearts, and that He would protect and provide for Greek believers who are suffering heavily in this time.

CC Hellas Bible Study: Continue to pray for our studies through Joshua. The Lord has been showing us many marvelous things and challenging us in significant ways. Please pray that God would continue to bless Frank as he pastors the church and teaches His word, and that the Lord continues to draw people closer to Him through His word.

CC Hellas on Sundays: Please continue to pray for a building as we are on the hunt for one to use for Sunday mornings and that we would find it in God’s timing. Also for the exact date to start.

Website: Our CC Hellas church website is in the works. Lord willing we will have the first stage of it, up and running by the middle of October. Pray for God’s timing, provision, and direction regarding content.

Bible College Outreach Team: From October 14th thru 23rd we have a ten-day outreach team coming from the CC Bible college campus in Vajta, Hungary. Mike & Cindy Styles, our South African friends who are going through the missions training program, will be leading this team of 10. Pray that God would direct them and us as we plan and prep for that week, and that He would use this group of students to make an eternal difference here in Athens.

CCMW Blog: As you all know Suzie started a ministry blog for women called CC Missionary Women. God has been greatly blessing it and is using it to encourage many. Recently she added a new category that will entail one pastor’s wife from the States each month to write a note of encouragement to the missionary women. It will also be announced at the pastor’s wives conference in Murrieta in October during the book review. Suzie was asked to present it via invitation letter explaining her heart. Please pray for this open door and that God would continue to use this tool! To see the blog click, here.

Language Study: Our team will begin formal language study next month with a brother named Panos from our fellowship. Pray that God would provide for this, that our brains would be enabled to comprehend, that our tongues would be loosed to speak, and that our teacher will be empowered to teach us with much patience and grace…

Personal…

Car: HELP! Though she is still kicking she’s nearing her end. Pray for God to provide for a suitable replacement and that He would keep our Green Machine running until He does.

Provision: Missionaries are not exempt from the many financial woes of America and elsewhere in the world. We, and most whom we know have been greatly affected by the times. Please pray for God’s continued provision for us, all other missionaries including the Spencer family who are assisting us in the work here, for both our daily needs, ministry needs, and the many various financial issues that present themselves throughout the year.

If you’d like to partner with us financially please click here. Also to see our ongoing prayer needs just click here.

Ευχαριστώ (Thank you) for taking the time to pray!

Frank & Suzie

Dealing With Doubt

2011-09-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 6:13-20

Good afternoon NCL family,

The writer of Hebrews has given us a clear view that the Jewish Christians in that day had begun to “drift away” from the Word of God causing them to “doubt” the Word of God, resulting in a hearing problem! Doubt causes us to question the promises of God! Can we trust our lives to God? Can we take Him at His word? Can He keep us from falling? Can He finish the work He has begun in us? Will He lose interest in us at some point in time? Is there really salvation and security with God?

To answer such questions the writer of Hebrews reminds the reader of the father of faith, Abraham! In spite of Abraham’s failures and sins, God kept His promises, for God’s promises do not depend on our character but on His faithfulness! Abraham “patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (6:15); which is the exact opposite of what the Hebrew Christians were doing, as they had become “sluggish” (6:12), causing them to doubt the promises of God.

Maybe today doubt has gotten you down, just as the Christians in that day were down. They were about to give up because they were worn out. One of the writer's remedies was given after he reminded them of everyone who had overcome doubt by faith: such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and many others when he says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before 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” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

It is when we diligently hear and heed the promises of God that we begin to develop our spiritual lives, removing the doubt that can be so daunting!

You won’t want to miss this coming Sunday as we open God’s word and learn that “Dealing with Doubt” (Hebrews 6:13-20) God’s way can bring great comfort and joy!

“My own weakness makes me shrink, but God’s promise makes me brave!” (Spurgeon)

Nine Eleven

2011-09-21T11:20:00.001-07:00

Mid-Week Update

2011-09-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Goodmorning NCL family,

Thislast Sunday we just touched on a very important passage when the writer ofHebrews declared, "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor oflove which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to thesaints, and do minister" (Hebrews 6:10).

Inverse 9 there is a promise of "better things" for the believer thathas put their trust in Jesus. Those better things are experienced when wenaturally serve God, do good works, and advance His kingdom. The worksshow our love for God; however, works of service to God often go unnoticed inthis life. We can become discouraged, wondering why we work so hard forso little response or for so little thanks. Listen! GOD HAS NOTFORGOTTEN YOU! HE NEVER FORGETS YOUR HARD WORK FOR HIM, WORK DONE INLOVE!

Althoughyou may not presently feel as though the Father is pleased with your work, Godknows your labor of love and ministry. Let God's love for you, and Hisintimate knowledge of your service for Him, build you up as you facedisappointment here on earth today.

Howwill God reward our hard work? God may not reward us with materialrewards, but the spiritual rewards will be marvelous! Please take timetoday or tomorrow and read about these marvelous rewards (Matthew 16:27; Romans14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:8-15; 9:16-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 6:8;Colossians 3:24; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10;22:12).

Theseverses will prepare your heart and mind to come out tomorrow night for ourWorship Night; many of the people who ministered at the CAV/Hope Central Wattsevent will share their testimony of what they saw God doing on that marvelousday.

Evenif you have not signed up to share, feel free to share spontaneously tomorrownight as the Lord leads you!

God blessyou all!

2011-09-19T14:42:00.001-07:00

Missionary Update - Don & Marta Patten

2011-09-16T15:13:00.001-07:00

Pray forpeace in Israel following the meetings at the U.N. on Sept. 20th as many expecttimes of greater unrest in Israel. 

Pray forphysical and spiritual protection for us and the believers in Israel. 

Pray forthe Lord's love to fill our hearts and motivate us as we serve. 

For theBible study with the Russian believers on Friday nights to be used to deepentheir relationship with God. 

For theShabbat Service in Ariel to strengthen and unify the believers. 

For thesmall group of believers in Afula and for a future Bible study there. 

Pray aswe will be living in Jerusalem for about a month (we will watch our friendshouse as they travel). We willstill travel to Ariel and to Afula to serve. 

Pray forencouragement for Kefas in Nigeria as not many people are attending themeetings.  

Thank youfor praying,  Don and Marta

Missionary Update - Frank & Suzie Gonzalez

2011-09-16T15:06:00.001-07:00

Dear Co-Laborers,

Thank you all for your consistent prayers they are felt greatly! Suzie and I pray you enjoy this little update on what will be happening this month and what has happened this past month. God is always faithful!

Sharing the Word…

During the month of September I (Frank) will be teaching on Sunday mornings at ICF (International Christian Fellowship) in Athens. I was asked last month by the pastor there to cover for him while he is away on furlough. Many of the pastors and missionaries here in Athens are in great fellowship with one another and often help each other out. This is a great resource and blessing! With that I was able to cover the teachings on Sunday as currently CC Hellas is not on Sunday mornings as of yet. I will be teaching the whole book of Jonah for the month I’m there. Please pray for my study time both at ICF on Sunday mornings & our Tuesday night CC Hellas fellowship that will continue next week.

CC Hellas Happenings…

Starting back up this Tuesday, September 6^thand resuming the book of Joshua! Pray for the fellowship of believers coming, the word to be taught in the power of the Spirit, and for worship to fill our hearts with His praise!

Car Trouble, Again…

While in Italy on our mini vacation our car hit a turn for the worst. Our LPG (liquid petroleum gas) system in our car started leaking and went south. We have a duel gas system in our car and the LPG is so much cheaper than the regular. Our car is on its last legs as it is. Please pray for our car and that God would give us wisdom on what He wants us to do with it. We are praying for His will and are feeling led to continue to ask Him for a “newer” more effective car. Please pray along with us, as we really can’t be without one.

Italy trip…

On a very happy and joyful note, besides issues with our car, we had a wonderful time in Italy this last week. ( Side note: the boat ride there and back wasn’t so great as we didn’t have a room and slept on the floor, ouch). But…on to the wonderful trip we had. As most of you know God didn’t provide for either missions conference this year, but did provide specifically for this trip to Italy, through someone in the States. Otherwise it wouldn’t have happened. The main reason we went was to spend our time with our best friends Jeff & Karin Cass and their five amazing kids from the States. We picked Montebelluna Italy as a rendezvous because the Casses are also long time friends of Craig & Silvana Quam who serve as CC missionaries in Montebelluna Italy. Craig is the pastor of CC Montebelluna and Feltre. Everyone fellowshipped together and we all spent time with many of the missionaries and saints from CC Treviso, CC Padova, and CC Montebelluna. Also went hiking in the Dolomite Mountains with the Cass & Quam family, went to the beach with many of the saints from CC Montebelluna, ate lots of pizza and drank many cappuccinos. God is faithful and blessed us above and beyond what we could think or ask! Special thanks to Nino & Perside’s family for the wonderful meal on Sunday, also for the Nigros, Quams, Cambras, Librings, Yocoms (visiting from CC Pristina), Ballas & Gabriella Tesser, for making it a very sweet time for us and taking the time to hang out!

Around the Corner…

Language study: Our team will be starting formal Greek classes in the fall. Please pray for this and Gods provision.

Sunday Services: Travis & I will be starting to look and scout for a place to hold our Sunday morning services that we pray to start this fall. Please pray for the right location and the right place to rent. Also pray as Travis preps for the children’s ministry curriculum and oversees the children’s ministry. This is a big move for us but we are taking a step of faith to see if the Lord blesses, as we see a genuine need to begin a Sunday service with a healthy children’s ministry.

Thanks Again for your time in reading our latest. Please continue to pray for the country of Greece and the saints here, they are truly coveted!

From Babes to Beefcakes

2011-09-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Good morning NCL family,

We have come to one of the most important passages and one of the most controversial passages in the Word of God. It is important because it has to do with our spiritual development as Christians. It's controversial because it deals with the question of “falling away” from the faith!

The writer of Hebrews is writing to a people who have been professing Christians for many years. By this time they ought to have been teachers by now, but they still needed someone to teach them the ABC’s of the Word of God. They should have desired to have solid food, but they were still in need of milk!

James wrote, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:23-25).

When you look into the mirror of God’s word what do you see reflecting back at you? Do you see a babe or a beefcake? After all these years should you be teaching the Word, or do you still need to be taught?

Everything in the Bible leads us toward mature faith which is always characterized by a sense of becoming, not arriving. The maturing Christian is always reaching forward, not resting on what has already happened; a sense of wonder, not complacency. People need the peace that God offers; our social systems need God’s justice; our bodies need God’s healing. The growing Christian acts in faith to become God’s servant to the world, even under great stress caused by the world.

Paul was a perfect picture of a beefcake: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Philippians 3:14-15).

This Sunday we will be learning the art of growing “From Babes to Beefcakes” (Hebrews 5:11-6:12). All Christians, including you, should be growing, maturing, and pressing on!

God bless you all!

Wrong Worship

2011-09-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Mid-Week Update

2011-09-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hello NCL family,

Check out the awesome slideshow in the blog post below from the CAV/Hope Central event this past Saturday!

The writer of Hebrews made it perfectly clear that the Israelites of Moses' and Joshua's day heard many great messages from God, but they still did not respond in faith. I believe that this same problem still persists with many people these days. People hear many messages, they read the Bible, but they don't always respond in faith. People know a great deal about Christ, but they do not know Him personally. They may hear, but they don't heed the word of God in faith.

The writer of Hebrews declares, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Religion without obedience to God has no value! Hearing many messages of God's truth but not responding to that truth will make us indifferent to the word of God. If we are indifferent to the word of God, we will be robbed of the promise of rest we find in Him.

Are you just hearing the word? Or are you hearing and obeying?

This Wednesday we will be digging deeper into Hebrews 4 so that we might discover a "Deeper Rest" through faith in Jesus Christ!

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

CAV Event Watts 9/10/11 Slideshow

2011-09-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Missionary Update - Desery Montenegro

2011-09-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

Helloall!

PraiseGod, my team and I arrived safely in Firelands Wednesday around 2am! THANK YOUall so much for your prayers!

So far,I really like it here! The strong winds, heat, & dirt remind me of home inthe High Desert! Although there are really old buildings and most live inpoverty, the majority of people wear really nice shoes and drive very nice cars(which also reminds me of Orange County!)

We metsome of the students from the English school we will be teaching at on Thursdayand they gave us a tour of the city. It was a blessing to get to spend timewith nationals and I was thankful the Lord allowed me to engage in spiritualconversations with two of the girls I met already!

Thenext week we will continue settling into our new apartment and transitioninginto Firelands. We also will be taking language classes (we are being trainedin the basics of their language as well!).

Sorrythis is so short, we do not have internet at our apartment yet. I will besending a more detailed letter out soon!

“Sothat in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Titus 2: 10 I pray this would be true of my team and me -that whether we are riding the bus,buying food at the grocery store, or exploring the streets of Firelands that wewould bring glory to the Lord by being witnesses of who Jesus is!!!

Prayerrequests:

-Mytime in the Word! This is of utmost importance to me, but is difficult as weare very busy & I am so exhausted! (ha, all the more to need it!)

-Safetyas we travel which is usually by bus or walking (the traffic is crazy here& drivers are ruthless toward other vehicles & pedestrians)

-Protectionagainst spiritual warfare (that we would claim the name of Jesus boldly &remember His blood covers us)

-Adjustmentboth culturally & physically (jetlag)

-Health - thereare lots of smokers here which has made my asthma act up, also new foods &environment also trigger my allergies

-REST(we’ve been on the go since we arrived so I REALLY need the Lord’s supernaturalstrength & energy, also we haven’t had a full, smooth night of sleep sincewe’ve arrived.)

THANKYOU all so much!

Untilthe whole world hears,

Desery

Quest For Rest

2011-09-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 4

Good morning NCL family,

F. B. Meyer wrote, “To all of us Christ offers 'rest', not in the other life only, but in this. Rest from the weight of sin, from care and worry, from the load of daily anxiety and foreboding. The rest that arrives from handing all worries over to Christ and receiving from Christ is all we need. Have you entered that experience?”

That is a great question, have you? Would you like to? If so, where are you looking for that rest? Most of us look for rest in wealth or health, but Jesus tells us that He is our true rest: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

The words “learn from Me” really jump off the page! Jesus doesn’t say, “learn about Me.” To find true rest we must “learn from” Jesus! This Sunday morning we are going to look at a powerful passage that is certain to bless the believer and convict the unbeliever to learn from Jesus in our “Quest for Rest” (Hebrews 4).

Reminder
We are in for a very special treat this Sunday. It is our potluck, so please remember to bring a dish, and a little extra, as we are dedicating this Sunday to the Champions Against Violence event in Watts on September 10, 2011. The day after the event, a church is being planted in the same park that the event is being held. The pastor of that church is going to be sharing his testimony with us this Sunday, so please be praying about inviting an unsaved friend.

God bless you!

Missionary Update - Don & Marta Patten

2011-09-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

AugustNews from Don and Marta in Ariel, Israel

Wehave joy in what the Lord has done and in what he is doing. This month wetraveled by ship to Cyprus for a day and then back to Israel and we weregranted new 3 month visas. It was special to see two beautiful sunsets onthe Mediterranean Sea. We thought of how it would have been for Paultraveling across the sea. We have joy in living where the events of theBible took place. We are also very excited to share the truths of Biblewith those living in Israel. On Fridays in Ariel, we lead a home Biblestudy a small group of Russian believers who are Israeli citizens. Thechildren attend the study as well and have good questions and insights. On Saturday at the congregation, Leah normally teaches the children, when weteach them we are always delighted to see the kids growing in faith. Someof them memorize poems based on the Bible and share them with us. We arealso traveling to a city to do Bible studies with an Israeli believer who speaksHebrew and English. We continue to assist in Jerusalem with friends thathand out food to the poor. Because of the high cost of living inJerusalem the Spanish speakers we know have been moving to a city calledAfula. They have asked us to start a Bible study with them there. Pray that God would direct us in His will and protect us as we travel on thebus.

Wehave visited believers in Jesus that used to be muslims. We joined Davidand Leah on a trip to Jericho and visited a few Biblical sites and enjoyedfellowship with those serving there. We also have visited a few believersthat used to follow Islam from the muslim villages around Ariel. On Aug.23 one believer had his house set on fire by the radical muslims in thevillage. He had just left for work and about 4:30am they poured gasolinein the house while his children and his pregnant wife were still insidesleeping. The fire did serve damage to the house but the family wasspared. They jumped out of a second story window and the pregnant motherand one child had to go the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Those that set the house on fire will probably not be caught or judged inthe village as believers are looked upon as criminals for having left Islam. Muslims do not have the freedom to leave Islam, if a muslim believes thatJesus is the Savior and reads the Bible he can be denied his rights in societyand can even be put to death. Most Palestinians that become believershave a hard time finding refuge as they are consider betrayers of Islam andcriminals. We really need to pray for believers that live among muslims,first that they would be a strong witness of God’s love and forgiveness butalso for their physical protection.

Interestingenough there are many Biblical sites in the “West Bank” many of them are nottaken care of and most of them are not visited by tourists. Marta and Ihave taken some friends and people serving in Israel to these sites. Itis amazing to live and serve in the heart of Biblical Samaria. Abrahamreceived the land of Israel in this area, Jacob had a camp and dug a well hereand Jesus walked through this area a few times, touching people and healingthem. Jesus spoke the words that brought salvation to the Jewsand to the Samaritans in His day, join us as we pray that they will hear Hisword in our day.

Pleasepray for spiritual discernment and wisdom in serving in Israel.

Prayfor boldness to follow the leading of the Lord.

Prayfor the Lord to direct us to those He desires to save and to transform.

Prayfor David and Leah and Ami and the family as they have a court hearing onSunday, Sept. 4th. Pray for Ami as he desires to go to the U.S. andattend college.

Prayfor the Spanish speakers to be strong in the Lord and wisdom in how to assistthem.

Prayfor the believers to resist temptations and not to follow false teachings.

Prayfor Kefas in Nigeria as few people are attending the meetings there.

Wecan recommend a few books written by former muslims that became believers whichhelp to understand Islam and how believers in Jesus are treated.

Ifyou would like any other information about how we are serving or how to help usor those in need let us know.

Thankyou for praying, Don and Marta

Breathtaking Performance Of Agnus Dei From Child Singer

2011-08-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

Putting Jesus First

2011-08-30T11:49:00.001-07:00

Hebrews 3

Good morning NCL family,

This morning as I was preparing for our mid-week study in Hebrews chapter three, one of the verses really struck me powerfully: "If we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" (Hebrews 3:6b).

The word "confidence" really jumped off the page and into my heart! This word is used four times in Hebrews (3:6; 4:16; 10:19, 35). Different versions use the translation "confidence," "boldness," or "courage." Outside the book of Hebrews this word denotes the courageous attitude of someone who preached the gospel without fear, as we saw in Peter's preaching on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The word in Hebrews 3:6 denotes something a little different. The writer of Hebrews uses this word to describe the confidence or boldness we have in our approach to God because of our New relationship to our faithful High Priest, Christ Jesus: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (4:16), and "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus" (10:19). We should be "courageous" in coming to God because of Christ's completed work on the cross.

Because we are in Christ's family, we have from God the strength to endure in obedience and commitment. Our hope in Christ gives us a solid basis for faithfulness in Christian living.

This Wednesday night we are going to dig deeper into Hebrews chapter three to learn that by "Putting Jesus First" we will have greater confidence as Christians!

God bless you all!

Missionary Update - The Loudermilks

2011-08-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

Journal posted on 08/29/2011 at 15:38

Calvary Chapel Korea Outreach Ministries

Loudermilk Family Newsletter

Dear Friends & Family,

I am so excited and thankful to be welcoming nearly 100 new facebook friends to our monthly newsletter. Last month I asked all of our friends on facebook if they would like to receive our letter in order to pray for us, and the response was more than overwhelming. Thank you so much for your desire to partner with us in prayer. It is always my desire to keep this newsletter short and to the point because I know how busy you all are and how hard it is to read everything that is sent to you. So I will always keep this to a simple one-page letter. If at any time you want to stop receiving this letter please just email me and let me know and I will be happy to remove your address. The following is a brief update with prayer requests for some of the ministries we are involved in here in Korea:

Calvary Chapel Daejeon:

· September 4th marks our three-year anniversary for the church. It is amazing to think that we have been here in Korea for a little over 5 years now. The church has been a wonderful seed-planting ministry as we have seen many people come and worship with us as they prepared to go and study in another country. Even though we usually only have 20 to 30 people in a service, I am sure that at least a couple hundred people have passed through our doors that we have been able to influence. My hope is that after they attend our church they will realize their need to solid biblical teaching in whatever place they find themselves. Please pray for us as we continue to look for a new location that could put us closer to a local university where we can have greater outreach opportunities and more fruitful ministry to college students who are always searching for the truth.

Peace Village Orphanage:

· Please pray for us as we continue to provide an English class once a week to a small group of kids at this home. Pray also that more of the people in our church would be motivated to come and give up a little time on Saturday just to play with and minister to the children here.

House of Hope:

· We appreciate your prayers for us to still find the best day and time to visit this home for people with special needs. It is such a blessing every time we go there. I really want to find a way to get this back into our schedule.

English Institute Bible Studies:

· Please pray for me to minister the Word effectively to these students in two different cities. Beginning in September I will start teaching a Bible study at the institute in Seoul. Pray that the Lord will draw the students that He wants to hear His Word.

Thank you for your prayers & support,

Mike, Hye-Young & Jeena Loudermilk