NLC Connect July 13

July 12th, 2023
by Mark Isaac

connecting you with
God's Word

20 Biblical Promises to Help you Hold Unswervingly to Hope
(from ibelieve.com)

God promises to answer prayers. "Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
God promises to give us peace. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
God promises to provide wisdom generously. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)
God promises our eternal life is secure. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:28-29)
God promises to give purpose to our lives. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11). The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
God promises His love is everlasting and unchanging. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
God promises nothing will separate us from His love. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
God promises to forgive our sins. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
God promises to deliver us from temptation. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
God promises to be with us always. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)
God promises to provide for our needs. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
God promises to fill us with joy. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11)
God promises to give us strength. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
God promises to fight for us. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)
God promises to call us His children. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12)
God promises to make us like Jesus. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)
God promises rewards for those who endure. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
God promises never to leave us. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)
God promises He will return and live among us. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)
God promises to give us comfort. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Rev. 21:4)

connecting you with
Events and Activities at NLC

THIS WEEK THRU FRIDAY, JULY 14 - JR HIGH CAMP AT HARTLAND

THURSDAY, JULY 13
5:30-8:30 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY - Dinner, Worship and Testimony by Michael, Small Groups and Rock Solid Cafe.

SUNDAY, JULY 16
8:30 a.m. Adult Growth Class! Foundations in Finances - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. CONNECTING POINT (Dining Room)
10:00 a.m. WORSHIP - NLC KIDS/CREW - NURSERY

Pastor Mark preaching: GOD'S DREAM TEAM: Two Intervening "Ezers" (Abigail and Esther)

11:15 a.m. LUNCH MEETING

VBS VOLUNTEER TRAINING, ROOM 101

LADIES, REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR HARTLAND'S WOMEN'S RETREAT THIS SUNDAY! Click the announcement below to register and pay online.

MONDAY-FRIDAY, JULY 17-21
5:00-7:00 p.m. FOOD TRUCK VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!!

CLICK TO REGISTER

TUESDAY, JULY 18
6:00 a.m. NO Men's Bible Study (will resume August 1st)
6:30 p.m. Healing Rooms of Dinuba offers healing prayers - Church patio/library

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
6:30 p.m. - Worship Team - Gym
No Prayer Gathering

THURSDAY, JULY 20
5:30-8:30 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY

SUNDAY, JULY 23
8:30 a.m. Adult Growth Class: FOUNDATIONS IN FINANCE - Rooms 114/115
9:30 a.m. CONNECTING POINT (Dining Room)
10:00 a.m. WORSHIP - NLC KIDS/CREW - NURSERY

Pastor Mark preaching: GOD'S DREAM TEAM: Hannah

SUNDAY, JULY 30 IS FAMILY SUNDAY WORSHIP & LUNCH!

connecting you with
Opportunities to Give and Serve

HELP WITH NLC'S VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

There will be a meeting for all VBS volunteers right after Worship on Sunday, in Room 101

Help NLC serve Moms and their "Littles"
at the Dinuba community VBS

Help Kids around the World Go to School!

SPEAKING OF HELPING CHILDREN
Johnny & Denise share some amazing stories of how God is reaching children in SE Asia!

Link to the Esposito's Online Newsletter

Help Serve a Meal at Celebrate Recovery

Ask God how He wants to Give through You

click to make a gift to NLC

Received Last Week (7/09): ….....$2,444
Received this year: …………….. $359,710
Budget to Date: …………............ $364,805
Budget Goal: ……………....…......$421,553
Needed Weekly: ………..............…$8,835

Pray for Karen & Manuel Madrid, who tragically lost her young cousin last week.
Remember others who have suffered loss recently: Mary Fenske, Dee Dee Moreno, and Greg & Jane Jantzen. Greg's father Bill Janzten's service is Saturday in Madera.
Praise God for Glen Zimmerman's testimony Sunday that his multiply myeloma is in remission! Infusion treatments continue as we keep praying for complete healing.
Keep praying for JR Southard, Lafayette Brooks, Sr., and others with ongoing health issues.
Erick Parra has returned to Teen Challenge in Shafter after receiving medical care.
Pray for Chinoh Aquino serving in the Air Force in Qatar. He is witnessing to his roommate Ethan and a colleague named Rose, who are both atheists. They have been intrigued by what he has told them of our compassionate, transformational community ministries.
Ken and Martha Sawatzky are in Thailand and Cambodia with a basketball team in ministry with YWAM . They won their first games, and have had many opportunities to share the Gospel with children, young adults, and even two Chinese travelers at the airport.
Pray for God's leading in identifying a new Trustee for NLC.
Pray for our 4 Jr. Highers: Blake, Jesse, Olusoji, and Alyza. Pastor Mark & Laurie visited them on Tuesday at Hartland. Alyza was bitten by a spider, but is coping well.
Pastor Steve and Stephanie Morales, along with their families have returned safely from vacation. Thank the Lord for Jackie Ruelas' worship ministry over the last two weeks, as well as Louis & Michelle's leadership for our high schoolers on Sunday morning.
Praise the Lord for the testimonies of class members who took the Life's Healing Choices class over the last few months! And pray for those taking Foundations in Finance.
Pray for the 60 children already planning to come to our VBS next week, and for the leaders and volunteers.
Pray for NLC's Celebrate Recovery leadership team members, plus Pastor Mark & Laurie, at the annual CR Summit meetings at Saddleback Church next week.
Pray for people needing wisdom in their decision-making. We know that God freely gives wisdom to those who ask, without any judgment on his part.

connecting you with
Brian Willems

Brian Willems has been serving as NLC's Ministry Leader for Celebrate Recovery for almost two years. "Year 0" was months of prayer, planning, preparation, and team-building. And now, this June, we celebrated "Year 1" of offering the ministry to our community and region. Praise the Lord!

Here's Brian's story:
"I am a grateful believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I celebrate recovery from drugs, alcohol and pornography, and I still struggle with mental health, relationships and food. My name is Brian."
For over 30 years I spent my life in active addiction. Alcohol was a staple addiction as well as pornography and drugs. I was raised in a Christian home and knew what I was doing was wrong, but I could not control or stop myself. As it says in Romans 7:18 (NLT) “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.”
Always on the look out for a better “escape”, methamphetamine took over my life. My addiction to "meth" took me to the lowest places I've ever experienced. Thankfully, there came a time in my life--a moment of clarity--when I knew I had hit rock bottom and was ready to stop, to get help, and to listen to someone other than myself. God started to reveal himself to me in different ways for numerous years during this fight.
God provided men, who came into my life through the program of Celebrate Recovery. If God had not done that I would not be here today. The first meeting I attended was in 2013. I was invited to hear a testimony; bugged for days to go, actually, and so I finally gave in. It took another three years before I made a choice to work the program. Since then God has opened up doors that I would have never imagined. Blessings beyond what I deserve. Daily, I give my life and will over to His care.

Life is not rainbows and unicorns. In fact the previous six or seven years have been some of the hardest times of my life. However, God has been faithful even when I have not been and has extended His mercy and created opportunities to grow closer to Him, and to serve others. As it says in 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT) “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”
For two years I served almost every week at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla with Celebrate Recovery on the Inside. Every Friday night 140-150 men gathered to go through Step Studies and work on themselves. I served in Reedley at Redeemer's Church Celebrate Recovery and was the men’s ministry leader there for over three years. During the day I work as a certified drug and alcohol counselor with men and women who struggle with opioid dependency. I am currently working on my bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on addiction and recovery.
In 2021, after much prayer and guidance, an opportunity was created to open Celebrate Recovery at New Life Community in Dinuba. The process would take over a year before we were ready to open the doors. It is by the grace and mercy of God that I am able to serve as the ministry leader here!

If anyone is looking for perfection or someone to set up on a pedestal, keep looking. I am still broken and fallible. I still let people down, make mistakes, and sin. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬
But here's my invitation to you: Nothing changes if nothing changes. Though just walking through the doors to a recovery meeting can be scary, it's a positive first step. If you've been hurt, have a habit that you wanna look at, or have a hang up that’s negatively affecting your life, then come join us on Thursday nights at Celebrate Recovery--New Life Community. I can guarantee you there’s NO perfect people here! Come as you are and bring a friend!