HI Gang,

Just watched this TV episode and thought it was really insightful. We don’t need to be fearful on the economy, but we do need to be wise. I agree with much of what is said by Dr. Larry Bates in this interview and would like to recommend that we all consider saving cash assets like gold and CD’s (certificates of deposit).

I’ve mentioned this before, but I would also suggest that if you need to improve your cash situation or get out of debt, you should look into entrepreneurship and consider a home based business.

These suggestions that I’m presenting are things that Melissa and I have begun to put into practice as well.

Check out the 30 min. interview at http://www.sidroth.org/
Click on “It’s Supernatural TV Show” “Archives” and “Dr. Larry Bates”

You’re also welcome to visit Melissa & my home-based business at www.shopmychoices.com.

Blessings,

Pastor Arlen

Today, let me introduce you to our final Statement of Faith. You should now have a total of ten of these mini articles on our Statement of Faith. But don’t worry. If you didn’t have a chance to collect the entire series, they are available on my blog: www.pastorarlen.wordpress.com. In the coming weeks I will ask us as a church family to affirm these beliefs as they are the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Response and Eternal Destiny

We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.

The future is certain. There will be a day of judgement for everyone. We all have to “pay the bill” sometime. How does it make you feel to know that you will be judged? Pause for a moment and consider that in your heart.

If you feel fearful that you aren’t good enough, take heart. No one is “good enough.” It’s only because of the unconditional love and forgiveness of God that we are acceptable to God.

If you feel like you have to earn your spot, get that thought out of your head.

There’s a fine distinction here, but the grace and goodness of God should encourage us to serve and grow in faith. We should never feel the need to earn anything from God. Pause again and consider how good our Papa God is that you are freely invited into His eternal blessedness and joy. I can’t wait! And I hope this leaves you feeling encouraged and empowered to press on with God.

Blessings,

Pastor Arlen

I love this week’s Statement of Faith. It’s on this foundation that we’re building this year’s theme for our church family. Take a moment to read our Statement of Faith.

We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.

Because we believe Jesus is returning for his bride, the church. We desire to get ready. And as his bride, we need to be prepared in the following three areas mentioned above: Godly living, Sacrificial service, and Energetic Mission.

Take a moment to calm you heart in prayer and ask God to make clear to you His preparation plan for your life personally. While we are a church family will be getting prepared, part of our preparations will be how each of us personally prepares. This year, expect God to teach you anew. No, the teaching isn’t new, but as it has been said, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” When we’re ready to receive, He will teach us more.

Blessings,

Pastor Arlen

Have you ever gotten a gift that was a blessing and a responsibility at the same time? Maybe a car. When you’re young and you get your first car it’s fantastic. You have freedoms you never knew. You had status, you were a new driver. But somewhere along the road, you realized that having a car requires lots of maintenance. You have to wash and polish it, change the oil every few months, replace wiper blades, and on and on the list goes. Is it worth it to have a car? No doubt, the convenience and comfort can’t be beat. But it does come with responsibility too.

The same is true of being a Christian. There are phenomenal benefits to being a Christian. For one, we have an eternal home in heaven and we don’t need to worry about ending up in the solitary prison of fire prepared for the devil and his angels. But besides the benefits of being a Christian, there are responsibilities. Our statement of faith puts it like this:

We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.

Who is God telling you to share His love with? How are you making a difference with the poor or oppressed? This year, we will all be challenged to “step up” and make a difference for our Savior. It’s the least we can do because we are so blessed!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Arlen

By the time you read this, I will probably have read this article in our worship service. I thought it was very insighful and solidly biblical.

Re read it again and I know you will be blessed.

=)

Pastor Arlen

10 Reasons Not to Panic…

Greetings Church Family,

Today, I would like to place two things before you. The first is our theme for 2008-2009. Last week’s article affirmed that we who follow Jesus Christ are his body and He is our head. The Bible also uses the picture that we are the Bride of Christ and our Fiance is coming to get us one day soon. But are we ready for our marriage to Jesus? So this year, our focus will be: who we are in Christ and how we can best prepare for His coming.

The second thing I want to tell you is that time really flies. September/October marks the 10th year of our existence as a Church Family. It also marks the 5th year of our church plant in Aiea. So the elders and I have discussed hosting a Thanksgiving Celebration on Wed. Nov. 26th at 7:00p.m. Pastor Owen and Christ’s Church at Aiea will join us as well.

Let’s celebrate our anniversary and pending wedding with Jesus together!

Blessings,
Pastor Arlen

Today’s article on our Statement of Faith has quite an unusual title. Let me explain…

I heard a message this past week speaking about this topic that everyone needs to follow someone. Even leaders need to be lead. That’s the theme of this article.

While there are those among us who always like to be first and like to be the one leading the charge, it’s not wise to rely solely on your own thinking and planning in every situation.

Even for us as a church family, I hope you understand that you are not following every whim and fancy that I have for our congregation. My goal as your pastor is to lead you to Christ. And my battle cry is “Follow me as I Follow Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1) Jesus Christ is the leader (i.e. head) of our church as our Statement of Faith affirms.

The Church- We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

So let me challenge you to reexamine in your life, how are you following Christ? Is your first response to God’s word and His Spirit obedience? If God were to redirect us as a church, would you be willing to follow? He’s the head, and as in any good leadership structure, we must “follow the leader.”

Blessings!
Pastor Arlen

Did you know that we’re right in the middle of hurricane season? Are you prepared? What resources do you need to be prepared? Flashlights, Candles, bottled water, portable gas stove, canned goods, etc.

There’s a lot we need to be prepared for a hurricane. But there’s so much more we need to be prepared for life.

That’s why Jesus made sure we had everything we needed to live life and fulfill the personal calling each of us has. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit and He is all we need. This week’s Statement of Faith focuses on the Holy Spirit:

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christlike living and service.

We cannot live the Christian life alone. But that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. He guides us and completes us. The Apostle Paul understood this fact so fully that he said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” That Christ living in us is the Holy Spirit.

Whatever you face today, are you prepared? If you’re living your life yielded and guided by the Holy Spirit, you have all you need.

Blessings,

Pastor Arlen