Take faith-filled risks.

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal… (Philippians 3:13-14)

**Why do we step out in risky faith? We know Jesus is with us!

“Surely I am with you always…” (Matthew 28:20)

**Coming in 2012: More love for the people God loves!

Outrageous service.

“Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:21-23)

**”If we want to reach people no one else is reaching, we’ve got to do things no one else is doing.”

**Coming in 2012: parenting helps, recovery groups

Under construction.

Not that I have already obtained…or have already arrived at my goal… (Philippians 3:12)

**God is building all of us us into the people He wants us to be.

**Coming in 2012: Church membership. More chances to serve. New tools to help us live as a follower of Jesus.

Celebration worship.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:1-2, 4)

**Fact: We all get beaten up during the week. Sunday morning should be a time when we can encourage each other & remember how great God is.

**Coming in 2012: More opportunities to celebrate!

Healthy homes.

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32)

**2 things we’re doing to help families heal and get healthy.

1. Give them a safe place to admit their struggles and seek help.

2. Give them tools and skills so they can continue growing as individuals and families.

**Every healthy family is a testimony to the life-changing power of Jesus!

**Coming in 2012: Parenting classes, family-focused small groups

We will also be kicking off a new sermon series: “Essentials for Growth in 2012.”

Come watch some of our people take the next step in obedience by being baptized. Then, stay to hear how you can make 2012 a great year of spiritual growth. It’s going to be a great time!

See you at 10:45!

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Don’t Lean on Your Understanding

The verse involves a positive–something you must do. But it also involves a negative–something you must not do. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Basically, the verse is telling us that we ought not to be self-reliant. We cannot pursue a course of action, a financial decision, a business move, a relationship, or an educational choice, simply based on our own understanding. It must be founded in our trust in God.

Self-reliance is such a deceptive trap. We begin to pride ourselves in something–our savvy, our looks, our intellect, our spirituality, our family, whatever. And when we do, it takes away our trust in the Lord. It has become trust in self. The result is a dangerous compromise that will lead to destruction.

Instead, Acknowledge God. In Everything.

The antidote to this self-reliance is found in the first command of the verse. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Which is developed in the next verse: “In all your ways acknowledge him.” The word “acknowledge” isn’t merely a polite tip of the hat to the Man Upstairs, or a few words of grace over your meal, or even perfunctory attendance at church to let Him know we’re still cool with what He’s doing. It’s way more. It’s allowing Him access, control, command, and involvement in all your ways.

What’s the result of this? Will God ruin your life? Will he be a Sovereign Killjoy? Will He rob you of fun? The verse ends on a promise. What is it?

He will make your paths straight.

The promise is put in the form of a metaphor. What does it mean to have straight paths? Several things. First, paths lead toward an end–a destination, a goal. Thus, trusting God wholeheartedly in every area of life gives your life a sense of purpose and priority. Second, it indicates that there will be a clear understanding of where you are going and what you are doing. It makes daily decision-making an easier and less painful task. You realize you are trusting Him. He, in turn, is making your paths straight. Thus, the way ahead is more apparent. Third, “straight paths” suggests moral purity. It suggests a life that has less of sinful compromise and more of wholesome attitudes, actions, and behavior.

That’s the kind of life that God promises. It’s the kind of life that you can have. It begins with trust. It involves acknowledging God in every way.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Let’s break down this life-changing truth to make sure we understand it.

Trust in the Lord.

It starts with trust. Any real relationship has to start with some level of trust. It’s the only way a friendship will endure. It’s the only way a marriage will work out. It’s the simple reason why an employer hires workers, or why the workers stay employed. It’s all about trust. Trust in the Lord, however, takes on an entirely new dimension. This is our trust in an eternal, all-powerful, all-wise, all-loving God. He is worthy of our trust. The trust is important, not just because of who God is, but because of the way in which we must trust him: with all your heart. It involves every fiber of your being. That’s the kind of trust we can have in God–a complete, unshakable, deep, abiding trust.

If you are a Christian, you trusted God for salvation. You can trust Him with the rest of your life, too–every detail.

Read part 2, Don’t Lean On Your Understanding

Welcome!

We’re glad you found our website. We invite you to join us for worship.

Meeting Days and Times

 Sunday & Wednesday services meet at:

6100 Florence Ave.

Bell Gardens, CA 90201

Sunday worship service—10:45 a.m.

(Sunday service includes fun learning opportunities for kids through 6^th grade)

Wednesday Prayer & Worship—6:00 p.m.

24-seven Youth Event–Second & Fourth Friday of every month, 7 p.m.

Small group Bible studies—times, locations & days vary.

Call 562-927-1722 for more info.

Have any questions? Call us at 562-927-1722!