David and Monica Villegas (center) celebrate the new year with a new life!
2 Corinthians 3:18 says; “ And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
It is important to understand that the Christian life is a life of TRANSFORMATION and CHANGE. The Christian life is not static: It is a life of change. Each stage of our walk with God involves us with constant moving change. God never expects perfection, but He does expect progress in growing in our faith.
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love everyone of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4.
Does this passage of scripture describe your Christian walk in 2009? Is your faith increasing and making you more effective for God? I am so thankful to God for what He has done in the Phoenix church. In 2009 we had 44 baptisms, 8 people were restored to God and His church, 1 moved here and placed membership. That is incredible! God is blessing our hard work in doing His will. What will your faith in God produce in 2010? Do you believe God wants to use you to change the eternal destiny of someone’s life? Is it on your heart to reach out to the lost?
Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). We are His followers, so it should be on all of our hearts. Is your love for each other increasing? Or is your criticalness increasing? Are you one who only loves when you are loved? Or do you imitate the love of Jesus? Let us make it our goal to be praying for the lost every day.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”
(John 13:34-35). I want to commend the Phoenix church for the love that we have for each other. Let us keep growing in this command that our Savior has given us. We must love each other enough to speak the truth in love, to challenge each other to do what is right according to the scriptures, to encourage each other to finish the race to eternal life and disciple each other to repent of sin. “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:15-16). Notice how this verse finishes with “as each part does its work.” When you enter into God’s Kingdom, you become a member of God’s Church, His family. God calls all of us to work for Him. Each member is very precious to God. He watched His Son die on the cross for our sins. So you are now a member of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). Are you doing your part to contribute and serve in God’s household? If you don’t know what you can do, please pray and ask about what you can do. There are always needs to be met. Each part doing its work means being fully committed to the mission that Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:18-20. This will take a whole hearted conviction from each one of us to sacrifice generously of our finances, our time and our hearts to see the world evangelized in our generation.
Special thanks to some who serve behind the scenes. David Josephs, who has served in providing us with his audio and video equipment for our worship service. This is a tremendous sacrifice. Chad and Rae Willson, who lead and coordinate our ushers in communion and contribution, who also lead a Bible talk. Mark Garrido, who is a deacon in our church, a Bible talk leader, and the setup coordinator for worship services. Scott and Sandy Lunde who lead our Kids Kingdom children’s ministry. Jason Bond, who serves as a deacon, Bible talk leader, and leads the singing part of our worship. Rob and Jenny Bolton, who lead our Young Teen Ministry. Alphonso and Kinji Davis who are raising up in leading our Singles Ministry. Tara Mahaffey, who serves in the coffee setup. Chris and Darby Schultz, who puts our bulletin together and prints them each week. They also support Rob and Jenny Bolton with our teens. Dan Barrett who is spear heading the efforts to get a band started for our church. Thank you to all who usher, serve in the singing and children’s ministries. Luke and Brandyn Speckman, who lead the Campus Ministry and meet many other ministry needs. Alx Conchuelo, who runs the video camera every Sunday. Robb Hamblin, who preaches powerfully whenever needed. Special thanks to all our Bible talk leaders: Jason and Susan Bond, Angelo and Angela Myers, Chad and Rae Willson, Mark and Keri Garrido, Paul and Karen Grover. Thanks to the awesome Campus Ministry for your zeal and doing your part in evangelizing the campuses.
Let us make it a goal to do even greater things in 2010 for our Awesome God! Make it your goal to grow in your heart in serving God and one another.
Mark 12:30 says;
Let’s love God and love people and God will be glorified!
Life is short, and then we get to go to Heaven!
Love in Christ,
Chris Chloupek–Evangelist
