​I am at peace with God...
 
Romans 5:1,2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
 
Psalms 29:11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace. 
 
Psalms 85:8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints--but let them not return to folly. 
 
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 
 
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. 
 
Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, Who has compassion on you.
 
Daily Word
Pastor Jack Graham
10/22/13
 
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33
 
“In 1919, when the First World War came to an end, many people called it, ‘The war to end all wars.’ Just after, an organization called the League of Nations was formed, and many thought there would never again be war in the world because all disputes would be handled within the League.
 
“Well, just the opposite happened. Within 22 years, many of the League’s members had left and Word War II was underway. The organization had failed in its objective to keep peace because it couldn’t force goodwill upon its members.
 
“And even though the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations, problems persist today. Wars are being fought daily. Crime, poverty, and injustice are rampant all over the planet. So how could we ever have peace in such a violent and harsh world?
 
“Peace is attainable… but not the kind you might be thinking. God’s peace comes from His presence in your life. And you can have that peace in your soul even with so much conflict going on around you. All you have to do is trust in Jesus. Because no matter what happens in this world, in Christ, you’ll always be able to say, ‘It is well with my soul.’
 
“TRUST FULLY IN CHRIST, AND YOU’LL EXPERIENCE REAL PEACE NO MATTER HOW MUCH CONFLICT SURROUNDS YOU.”
 
I don’t believe we can experience the peace OF God without experiencing peace WITH God.  Until we have submitted ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus, we cannot have peace with God – once we’ve made that commitment to Him, however, peace WITH God enables us to experience the “peace that surpasses all understanding.”  That doesn’t mean that we’re not going to have difficult times – that we won’t struggle – that we won’t wonder what on earth (or under it) is going on!  Just look at the lives of the Disciples – they were thrown into prison – beaten – stoned – left for dead – boiled in oil – crucified – and through all of that, they experienced the overwhelming peace of God.  They were able to SING while in prison – they REJOICED when they suffered persecution for the sake of Christ!  THAT’S the kind of relationship I want with God – that no matter what is going on around me – no matter what the enemy is trying to do to mess with my life – no matter who agrees with me or not – my faith is strong and steadfast – and the peace of God carries me through it all!

I am valued by God...
 
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
 
Horizon
Today’s Devotion
Mike MacIntosh
9/4/2014
 
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."  Mark 8:34-35
 
“What makes a diamond so valuable?  Essentially, a diamond is just a rock -- a pretty, sparkling rock.  Intrinsically, it is basically composed of the same earthly elements as other rocks, and is even usually pretty small in comparison.  But diamonds are valuable because people love them.  Boy, we spend entire savings accounts on diamonds because we love them.  Unless diamonds were in demand -- unless they were loved -- they would have no value.  In the same way, absent God's love for us, our lives would be without value.  You see, your life is valuable not because you own assets, or give money to charity, or even because you are a good person and love others.  Your life is valuable because you are loved by God.
 
“You are loved by the Lord of heaven and earth, who formed your inwards parts (Psalm 139:14) and who ‘knew you before you were born’ (Jeremiah 1:5).  You are loved by the Creator of everything you've ever known, whose thoughts toward you are ‘more than can be numbered’ (Psalm 40:5) – ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11).  God so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son to die for you.  Why?  So that by believing in Him, you would ‘not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16).  Whether you choose to believe it or not, God loves you.  And whether you realize it or not, your life is invaluable because of His infinite love for you.
 
“But imagine a diamond sitting lifelessly under glass in a store.  If someone came and offered the full asking price for the diamond -- in cash -- wouldn't you think it absurd for the shopkeeper to refuse the sale?  Why would he essentially render the diamond worthless, both to himself and to the potential buyer, by refusing the cash for it?  Until the diamond is purchased, its value is not realized.
 
“In the same way, Jesus Christ offers to pay -- in full -- the debt for sin of anyone who will believe in Him.  And make no mistake, it's a steep price; only He could pay it.  He sacrificed His very life as a ransom for ours, that we might no longer be ‘slaves of sin’ (Romans 6:17).  So why would we refuse?  Why would we reject His love when our entire value rests in it?  Why would we choose not only to render His love worthless, but to render ourselves worthless?
 
“You see, we fool ourselves if we think we are anything apart from the love and grace of God.  Jesus says in Mark 8:35 that ‘whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.’  If you reject Jesus, you reject the value of your own life, but if you surrender to Him, He will save your life!
 
“Let me encourage you today to surrender to Him anew.  If there is anything you are holding back from Him -- anything you cling to because it is ‘too valuable’ to give up -- surrender it to Him.  Maybe you've never surrendered your heart to Him at all.  Today is the day of salvation.  Or maybe you're struggling through a difficult time in your life.  Today is the day of restoration.  Let God's love for you be your strength, your hope, and your reason for living.  Let it be the foundation under your feet and the protection over your head.  Let His Spirit wash over you like a liquid waterfall of love.  He loves you!  You are valuable because you are loved by God.”
 
Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t use the same measuring stick to determine our worth/value the world uses?  “You’re valuable if you’re pretty.”  “You’re valuable if you have talent.”  “You’re valuable if you can make money.”  “You’re valuable if you’re famous.”  The list is endless – and apart from Christ, we all try to find something on that long list that assures us that our lives have value – that WE have value.  But – the simple truth is that we have value ONLY because of Him – and how much He loves us!  We don’t have to earn that love – we can’t lose it – nor can we lose our worth/value, no matter what anyone else says or does.  Isn’t that a relief?  YOU are valuable simply because God says so!    Don’t let anyone – or anything – take that truth from you!  The next time you see a little sparrow, remember that God is watching over that little bird – and if He’s watching over a small, brown, “insignificant” bird, He’s certainly looking over YOU!
​

Are you looking for a family planning method that doesn't involve harmful hormones?
Do you know that most forms of hormonal birth control (including the Pill - the Patch - the IUD and Depo) can actually cause a chemical abortion?
Do you know that God created women with a built-in method of monitoring their fertility?
Have you considered what God thinks about birth control?
If you want answers to any of these questions, this class is for you! We've been teaching the Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning (NFP) since 2004.  NFP is a 100% natural way to avoid, postpone or achieve pregnancy, and can be used by women in every season of life.  It's as effective as the Pill - without the risks - and you never have to worry about the possibility of a chemical abortion. 
Classes are taught by a Certified Instructor, and are available to engaged and/or married couples.  
For more information, contact Sharon at 619-422-0757, or email her at: svoices@pacbell.net

Abortion.

It's an ugly word.  

It's a painful experience.  

It's a deep, dark secret that no one can know about.  

It's a lifetime of shame and regret.

If it's happened to you, there is Hope - Help - and Healing!

Whether you struggle with depression - low self-esteem - eating disorders - abusive relationships - drug/alcohol abuse - guilt - unable to trust self or others - or any number of other feelings and behaviors associated with post abortion trauma - REAL change is possible!

Silent Voices offers a unique weekend "retreat" for women who have experienced an abortion and realize that they need help.  The weekends are offered 4-5 times a year, and are LIFE CHANGING!

​If you - or someone you know - has had an abortion, please contact us.  We can help put the pieces of your life back together - and help you enter into the deep, intimate relationship with God that your heart desires.  We're here to help.....because we care.

Our next group is going to be held February 19-21, 2016
619-422-0757

 svoices@pacbell.net

​I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world...
 
Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
 
Joni and Friends Daily Devotional 
 November 10, 2014
No Dark Pews!
 
"For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"             Acts 13:47
 
“There is a church in England that has no lights. Many people who visit the church are shocked that the architect left out something as important as overhead lighting. But the architect had a plan. The various families who regularly attend the church are given their own pew, as well as a lamp and a book. When a family comes to church, their lamp is lit. If they are not in church, the pew is dark.
 
What difference can one darkened pew make? Not much, you might think. But what if several pews are lacking lamps? Then the whole church would be affected. It's obvious. If all are present and in their pews, the church is alive with light. If not, the place becomes dark.
 
“What a beautiful picture of the body of Christ! If any one of us is not using the gifts God has given, there will be darkness; but as we use our gifts, the whole body will be full of light. This is how intimately we are linked one with another. That's why the Lord made it a command--He has made us a light in order to shine for the sake of others.*
 
"’If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.’" (1 Corinthians 12:26)
____________________________________
 
“Help me to know, Lord, what it means to be a part of Your body, to function with others for the good of all and the glory of the Son. Help me to understand my place in the body, including my responsibility to brothers and sisters around me. Help me to realize that my role, no matter how small, is significant. Shine through me, Lord, so that the lives of my friends and family will be brightened.”
 
_______________________________________________________________________
*Gregory, Joy, story taken from Christian Fellowship for Disabled magazine, New Zealand, No.
58, November 1992, p. 2.
 
Are you submitted to Him and walking in His will?  Are you filled with the Holy Spirit and aware of His presence in your life? If you can say “yes” to those questions, then you have been given Light!  You’re connected to THE Source of light – Jesus Himself!  You’ll never experience a power outage with Him – you can never use too much Power (you don’t need to conserve this Energy) – and it’s FREE!  SO, beloved of God – go out into the world and SHINE!  Be the light in the darkness around you!  Use your God given gifts and talents to draw people to the Savior!  (And – if you don’t know what those gifts/talents are, I’ll be starting a Bible study on Tuesday night on Spiritual Gifts – let me know if you want to join us!).

We've been providing Natural Family Planning instruction for over 10 years now, and still love empowering women/couples to use a method that is as effective as any other form of "birth control" on the market today - without any of nasty side effects!

Here's some information about the Billings Ovulation Method from the BOMA-USA website:

"The Billings Ovulation Method® is a simple yet scientific method of Natural Family Planning. Ongoing research has been conducted in Australia, Sweden and Spain since it was developed over 50 years ago by physicians John and Lyn Billings of Melbourne, Australia.

"Couples using the Billings Ovulation Method® track the woman's natural and unique signs of fertility and infertility each day. Based on the primary observation of sensation, four simple rules are applied within the woman's cycle (the first three rules are used before ovulation and the fourth rule is applied once the fertile phase is over) based on a couple's desire to achieve or postpone pregnancy.

"As published in numerous journals including, Lancet, Contraception, Fertility and Sterility, British Medical Journal, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as by the World Health Organization, the Billings Ovulation Method® is 99.5% percent effective in postponing pregnancy, providing couples follow the guidelines correctly."

To learn more, visit Billings Ovulation Method for more of the scientific basis behind the Billings Ovulation Method®. A sampling of effectiveness studies can be found there.

If you're interested in learning the method, be sure to contact us!

Has the New Year sparked your resolve to save more money and energy? Use the right tools to accomplish your money and energy saving goals with SDG&E’s programs and video listed below:
CARE Program
Did you resolve to save money in 2016? Start now with SDG&E's CARE program – a program that offers you, or someone you know, bill discounts every month. How much of a discount?  The CARE program can reduce your energy bill by up to 35%! It’s easy to see if you qualify. Just click on this link: sdge.com/care
Gas Appliance Check
 
Umbrella-check. Raincoat-check. Gas appliance-check? Yes! Click on the link to schedule a FREE, in-home Gas Appliance Check with San Diego Gas & Electric! sdge.com/residential/serviceorders
Level Pay Plan
Want to stick to your budget goals in 2016? @SDGE’s Level Pay Plan will help you stay on course. SDG&E’s Level Pay Plan makes your energy bill more predictable from month to month so you know how much to budget. Check it out: sdge.com/levelpay.
 
Winter Energy Solutions Video
 
Here comes the rain again!  SDG&E has winter energy solutions that can save you money and keep you safe. Watch this short video to learn more:   https://youtu.be/Em9bids9Thg
​