We have the victory over discouragement and depression in Jesus!

WE HAVE THE VICTORY IN CHRIST JESUS!

Our shield of FAITH will extinguish ALL the flaming missiles of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). Our adversary is defeated but persistent in his attacks. He cannot touch us (I John 5:18), but he does tempt us to believe lies.

Dear Friends, please remember that if God is for us, who can be against us? God empowers us to be overcomers and conquerors in this battle of life. But the key is to do it in HIS POWER and not lean on our own understanding.

Hebrews 12:3 says, “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

I find that focusing my attention on Jesus and worshipping Him revitalizes my spirit and renews my mind. It’s amazing what praising can do! I want to encourage you to worship our Lord—loudly and joyfully, as you sing of His power and His strength and His forgiveness and His grace and His mercy and His love and His purpose and His plan and His will.

Fixing our eyes and minds on Jesus is the spiritual transforming perspective that lifts us up and gives us wisdom from above to deal with life’s trials and challenges.

I pray that you are experiencing His glorious presence right now!

“In His presence is the fullness of Joy.” (Psalm 16:11)

To be a place that inspires spiritual growth, worship and ministry to people!

Our desire is to use Sonrise in the Woods to minister to people on the mountain.

Our mountain communities need a place where children can enjoy playgrounds, youth can gather for wholesome activities, adults can fellowship in unhurried peace and the elderly are treated with the dignity and honor they deserve. That is the vision God has given Church of the Woods for the new campus.

Our San Bernardino Mountains have more than 671,686 acres of National Forest land. There is another 147,313 acres of non-USFS land within the National Forest. As we consider that the 818,999 acres will always be preserved and undeveloped, it seems like our 37-acre parcel is a great location to serve the needs of people on our mountain.

It is amazing how much false information and hysteria is being generated over a project that seeks to serve our mountain communities by providing resources that are sorely lacking. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that the two greatest commandments are: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind . . . You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) That is our goal!

God’s Word declares, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) In other words, God’s greatest desire is for the eternal souls of people to be saved. That is our goal too.

It is our prayer that Church of the Woods will be a catalyst for people to come to know God personally through Jesus Christ. Our project, Sonrise in the Woods, is designed to enhance our ministry into people’s lives and provide a wholesome, beautiful environment for ALL the communities to enjoy. It will be a great place to benefit from picturesque landscaping, natural beauty and fellowship with people from all over. It will be exciting! Hope to see you there, too.

Don't be fooled by satan's schemes

From the very beginning, Satan has deceived people into believing lies. Paul wrote:

“But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Let’s compare what God said in Genesis 2:16-17 with what is said in Genesis 3:1-7:

First, Satan twists the Word of God by planting the seed of discontent! He wants us to think that God is holding out on us. To Eve, he said, “Indeed has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1). The results were devastating!

1. Eve diminishes the abundant provisions of God: Notice that Eve said, “From the fruit of the trees we may eat.”—whereas God said, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely.” (Genesis 2:16)
2. Eve adds to the prohibition: Eve said, “You shall not eat from it or touch it.”—whereas God said, “From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.” (Genesis 2:17)
3. Eve weakened the penalty of sin: Eve said, “You will die.”—whereas God said, “You will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)
4. Eve adopts the serpent’s title for God: Elohim is less personal than Yahweh Elohim.

Second, Satan contradicts the Word of God and confuses our source of contentment! “The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4, 5)

Third, Satan creates a counterfeit gospel as he appeals to our human senses and provides a fake substitute for true joy and contentment.

The Appeal                                   The Avenue (I John 2:16)          The Attitude

“Good for food” Lust of the flesh                                       Indulge

“Delight to the eyes” Lust of the eyes                                       Acquire

“Desirable to make one wise” Boastful pride of life Impress

From that moment on, mankind became separated from God through sin. We have become ashamed (3:7). We have been trying to hide from God (3:8). We are afraid (3:10). We have been blaming others for our sin (3:12-13).

Please don’t be ignorant of the schemes of Satan (2 Corinthians 2:11). Our salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. When we receive Christ as Savior and Lord by grace through faith = we become what God truly created us to be. Don’t allow the devil to twist, contradict or counterfeit the Holy Word of God! It is the truth that sets us free!

Read God's Word slowly, frequently and prayerfully.

God’s Word is filled with promises and hope that inspire people even during difficult times. One pastor told this true story of an attorney in his church,

“After meditating on several Scriptures, this attorney decided to cancel the past-due debts of 17 of his clients. He drafted a letter and sent it via certified mail. One by one, the letters began to return, unsigned and unopened. Sixteen of the seventeen letters came back to him because the clients refused to sign for and open the envelopes, probably fearing that this attorney was suing them for their delinquent debts. How profound! We owe a debt for our sin and God is willing to cancel it but too many people will not even open His letter that contains this great news.”

• Let me encourage you to open your Bible! This book is God’s love letter to you.
• It reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers.
• Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable.
• Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, practice it to be holy.
• It contains light to guide you, food to nourish you and encouragement to cheer you.
• It is the traveler’s map, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s character.
• Here paradise is restored, heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed.
• Christ is its grand subject, our good its design and the glory of God its end.
• It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet.
• Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully.
• It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure.
• Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for all eternity.

“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” ~I Thessalonians 2:13

Don't give up!

Persevering is a burden of my heart! I see too many people quit, give up and stop living for Christ! I want to encourage you that we can persevere! Anyone can burn brightly for a short time, but that is a poor stewardship of one’s life. Godly stewardship of our lives is to live every day for His glory throughout all of life. We need to pace our lives so that we can maintain faithfulness to the end.

The letter to the church in Smyrna acknowledged the tribulation that they were experiencing, but challenged them (and us) to, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b). What a rich reward—not based on merit, but a gift received by faith.

To be faithful until death does not mean we will all be martyred for our faith. It is exhorting us to live fully devoted lives to Jesus Christ until our final breath on this earth. That is my passion friend! I want to fight the good fight! I want to finish well! I want to keep the faith! I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful slave!” We can do this only through the Holy Spirit’s power that mightily works within us.

As Paul spoke of the glorious resurrection that awaits Christians in I Corinthians 15, he concluded the chapter with these words: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). In these days of uncertainty and economic upheavals, remember that our toil is not in vain in the Lord!

Don’t throw in the towel! Don’t abandon your post! Don’t resign to a meaningless existence! God has a great plan for each of us as we trust Him to persevere through us! Take time now to ask God to refresh you and invigorate your passion for Him, your love for people and your zest for life!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

When the rich young ruler approached Jesus with the question, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” Jesus got to the heart of the issue. He told the man to go and sell his possessions and give to the poor so he would have treasure in heaven and to follow Jesus. Is Jesus stating that the selling of his goods was merit for heaven? No! He exposed the man’s idol. The only way to heaven is through trusting Jesus. The rich young ruler trusted his riches. That is why Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.”

The man went away grieving! Did you notice that? He was grieving. He was not happy and fulfilled. He walked away from the only One who could grant him true fulfillment. It was at this point that Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24) His disciples were astonished at this and asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus responded, “With people this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Be encouraged, Friend! There are some things that are impossible for people—like earning salvation, but Jesus came to offer eternal salvation as a free gift. We only need to humbly trust in Him as Savior and Lord. He is the one who gives true satisfaction, genuine love and everlasting forgiveness.

No matter what circumstances you face, as you focus your attention on God, He will make a way. The key is to keep our faith fixed on God! Trust in Him. Pray to Him. Seek His face. As the old chorus states, When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

Have a blessed day!

Make 2010 a Banner Year in your Walk with the Lord!

Happy New Year, Friends!

People have mixed emotions about making New Year resolutions. But I am convinced that it is always good to “excel still more” in our personal growth and development.

Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 4:1, “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”

I want to urge you to make 2010 the most spiritually devoted year of your life. It is so easy to get distracted by things of the world, that we neglect the priority of seeking our Lord daily. It is a spiritual battle and our adversary, the devil, will try anything to keep us from walking intimately with God.

As 2 Corinthians 11:3 declares, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”

Please make Jesus Christ your 1^st Love as you take time to exalt Him in your heart and mind everyday! If you need to get up an hour earlier to start your day with the Lord, please make it a disciplined priority. You will find your day and life running a lot more smoothly with a better attitude when you submit each day to His leadership.

There is not just “one way” to spend time with God, but I encourage you to include prayer, God’s Word, worship and silent listening as special activities that enhance our relationship with God. I am praying that you will have a Spirit-filled New Year!

Ending the Journey of a Lifetime at Golgotha

Our last day began with a brief tour of the hospital where Tom Gronewald volunteers as a missionary servant to Israel. It was very enlightening to hear about and to see the medical facilities and preparations done by this hospital.

We went from the hope of holistic medicine to the sobering reality of the Holocaust! Touring the Yad Vashem museum and the atrocities of the Nazi Holocaust leaves you an ache in your heart. The staggering scenes and video-taped interviews with Holocaust survivors left a grim reminder of the evil that is in this world. It ignites the passion for showing love and restoring the dignity and value of every human being. People matter to God and people matter to us too!

Our final journey took us to the Praetorian where Jesus was flogged, mocked and spat upon. He went through all the agony of Gethsemane, the beatings and the crucifixion for us!

Wow, what a Savior!

We wept as we stood on the stones in which Jesus received His cruel thrashing. We followed the Via Dolorosa , the way of suffering where Jesus carried His cross with the help of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21).

Along this busy road we came to Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. We were truly standing on holy ground as we saw the Skull in the rocky cliff and personally witnessed the empty tomb. We gathered to read, worship and celebrate Holy Communion. What a special time of personal renewal and spiritual intimacy with our Lord. Richard played his violin and Kyler led us in worship as we spent an hour and a half just praising God for His gracious sacrifice on our behalf. This is the fitting conclusion to an amazing tour.

Isaiah 53:4-5 reveals the prophetic truth of our Messiah Jesus:

“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.”

Our group has truly become a family and many are already planning to join us on our next trip to Israel and Greece from July 8-22, 2011. Please pray about joining us as well. You will never be the same!

Shalom!

The Ancient City of David

We viewed a 3-D movie of the ancient city of David before we saw the actual ruins left in this archeological site. Over 3,000 years of history is being excavated here. Then we participated in the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation where we took part in the actual archeological process with our own hands. Our group discovered coins, bones, pottery pieces, mosaics, frescoes and other specialty rocks dating back to the Second Temple period. It was great to literally get our hands in the dirt of this ancient land.

Our lunch was at the Ramat Rachel Kibbutz, which has a very nice Hotel with a view into Bethlehem and Rachel’s Tomb. My pre-conceived idea of what a Kibbutz would be like was shattered by the modern facilities and luxuries enjoyed in this Kibbutz. It is the only Kibbutz with a Hotel in Jerusalem.

Back into the Old City of Jerusalem, we sang within the Church of St. Ann as our songs echoed off the ceiling. Just outside were the pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been ill for 38 years (John 5:1-17). Kyler continued to lead us in wonderful worship as we tried to assimilate and soak in all the spiritual insights that have flooded our heads and hearts. There is so much to absorb and learn!

Finally, we went through the Rabbi’s Tunnel that goes underground along the western wall of the Temple Mount! The foundations stones of the Second Temple range from 400-1000 tons each and fit so closely together that a razor blade cannot slide between them. The incredible process of chiseling, transporting and laying the stones to make the Temple Mount was illustrated in an animated movie presentation. As we walked along this tunnel, there is a spot that is closest to the Holy of Holies in which people pause to pray.

After this trip of experiences, learning and ministry opportunities, may we all practice Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

It was a blessing to serve.

What a privilege to serve!

Our only tour today was traveling into Bethlehem, which requires a change of buses and tour guides as it is under strict Palestinian control behind a high wall with barbed wire. It reminded me of the Berlin wall. We were hosted by a great Palestinian Christian man in his store with amazing wood carvings and other gifts. We visited the birthplace of Christ and saw the Shepherd’s fields. It was a short stopover in order to serve lunch at the Soup Kitchen.

Peeling potatoes, making soup, serving plates and just ministering love to homeless and needy people was such a blessing for all of us. “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). This ministry provides more than just food: they give job training, dental care and other practical expressions of compassion. It is my prayer that we will all have a growing love for people and a passion to reach out to those in need as a result of this special time to serve.

We then were able to experience the Israeli market with all the diversity, culture and exotic foods. This day allowed us to immerse ourselves in “non-tourist” type of activities. We left the market and went to the Ethiopian Assimilation Center. This is a place where these Jewish immigrants are given a two-year process for their adaptation into their new homeland. They provide language training, schooling for the kids, and basic education of life and culture that was foreign to their Ethiopian existence. We were able to give toys and stuffed animals to the kids.

Today was a reminder of all the blessings that God has bestowed upon us and how we need to be a channel of blessings to others. Let us all practice Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Britt and Chelsea were able to have dinner with her step-sister and enjoyed God’s gracious gift of this meeting. To God be all the glory!