“I’m going to stay in the church’s missions apartment in Phoenix for a few days of planning, but I’ll be back on Sunday to enjoy Bro. Rocky Harrill’s preaching as he is here with the Assurance Trio from Heartland Baptist Bible College.” He’s a favorite around here!

I’ll get back in time to welcome Bro. Alex Del Cid on staff. He arrives June 12, and will serve as our staff intern for at least one year, and we will see if God continues to open doors for a future youth pastor position. Becoming debt free will open some opportunities there.

I’m also excited about two upcoming sermon series:

Pastor Wm. Rench will preach a series on Sunday mornings and Bro. Zack Roberts will preach Sunday nights. The schedule is a little disjointed because of some family travels (i.e. Dad preaches June 14, then I preach Father’s Day, then he preaches again, etc.), but I love when our church can be helped by many godly men from within.

Speaking of godly men, we will also get to hear from Immanuel Estacuy, Marcus Valerio, Paul Heyman, Juan Rodriguez, and Si Rangel throughout the summer. We are blessed. I have said before that in church history in the days of persecution, when pastors would get arrested or killed, the church was expected to continue as other godly men stepped up to lead the people in God’s Word. May we develop men here to do the same.

-Pastor Ryan

No, that’s not “Swords.” It’s words that begin with “S,” all related to the will of God. I’ll get to them below.

A format I have used in the past with people wondering about the will of God is as follows:

• Word of God. Is the Bible against it? It’s not the will of God. Don’t do it. (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 8:20)
• Prayer. Have you sought the Lord in prayer? (James 1:5; Proverbs 3:6)
• Counsel. Have you sought godly counsel about this decision? (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22)
• Wisdom. Is it the wise thing to do? What would a wise person do in your situation? (Ephesians 5:15; Proverbs 22:3)
• Delighting in God. Have you been delighting in God and received your desires from Him? (Psalm 37:4–5)
• Open doors. Does it seem like circumstances are presenting themselves to you, or are there closed doors you’re trying to force? (1 Cor. 16:9)
• Word of God. Again, go back to the Bible and make sure you are in line with the Scripture’s commands and principles. (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 119:24)

The S-words include Scriptures that speak directly about the will of God. What is God’s will? The Bible tells us that we can know it.

1. Saved. God’s will is that you be saved.
   “The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
2. Spirit-filled. God’s will is that you walk under the control of the Holy Spirit.
   “And be not drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit;” Ephesians 5:18
3. Sanctified. God’s will is your holiness and purity.
   “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…” 1 Thessalonians 4:3
4. Submissive. God’s will is that believers live in humble submission to rightful authority.
   “For so is the will of God…” 1 Peter 2:13–15
5. God’s will may include suffering for doing right.
   “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing…” 1 Peter 3:17
6. Saying Thanks. God’s will is thankful living.
   “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When you pray, the Holy Spirit will help you pray in God’s will. God is not trying to hide His will from you. It’s not a treasure you have to search for. It is found in obedience to His Word. I’ve often said it like this, “You’re in God’s will when you obey God’s Word.” We’ll talk about that tonight in Romans 8.

Then, the glory of God came to earth in the form of man—Jesus Christ—yet when He ascended back to heaven, He baptized this world in the Holy Spirit as He promised He would in John 14. Now, the Holy Ghost is in you. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

And when we gather together, the Holy Spirit is here! God’s church is the temple now, and the people of God should be marked by the presence of God. “God is in you!” said the man in 1 Corinthians 14.

Could someone walk in today and say the same thing? “God is here!”

We’ve been talking all year about the temple of God not just being a building. We’re almost debt free as a church, but it’s not about our nice facilities.

It must be about GOD. That’s what Solomon understood in 2 Chronicles 6 and 1 Kings 8. Let’s praise God today like He’s really here.

-Pastor Ryan

God did an amazing thing last Sunday. It wasn’t the result of some billionaire funding our offering, but by God’s people banding together, we raised over $138,000 to go toward our debt payoff. What a work of God! All glory to Him!

And, boy, are we coming up with ideas on how to spend money now. Haha! One new thing this week was the golf cart. Our big people-mover bit the dust, but we are selling it and have already replaced it with a wonderful little four-seater which we used on Sunday. This new-to-us model was only about $2,500, and it can zip around the corners with ease. That will be so much better, as long as Bro. Sid doesn’t dump any of our wonderful people out the back.

Another new idea is an updated security system. Bro. Otoniel works in that industry and is putting together a plan on how we can get eyes everywhere. Our current system is fading and has many dead zones, and any upgrade will be a great help.

The commitments for the remainder of the debt came in over $21,000, and with that and some of the other offerings that might come in over the next few weeks, we are going to be DONE with this debt in no time. As we said on Sunday, once we finish phase one, then phase two is some of these other projects.

May the Lord bless you for your sacrificial giving. I’m fully aware that an offering like this came from those who are already giving, and I truly believe the Lord will bless that.

All glory to God.

-Pastor Ryan

I love our church so much. Today is a special celebration for us as we head into our 40th year of ministering in Temecula. Souls are being saved, disciples are following Jesus, and we get to gather together as a church family today to rejoice in God’s provision.

Today’s schedule is a little different from normal, both in the day’s schedule and in this morning’s worship service. By following the structure of 1 Chronicles 29, we will praise the Lord through music first, then we’ll have the preaching, and then we will have the worship and offering after the preaching.

This is our big “BE DEBT FREE” offering that we’ve been talking about for a couple of years, but intently now since January. This is our 10th week in the “House of God” series, and we simply recognize that it’s all God’s creation, He owns it all, and we just want to give from a pure heart.

As of last week, exactly $100,000 was committed for today’s offering! We will have a free smoked brisket lunch for everyone today, and during the lunch, the counters will count the offering and see what God provided. After lunch, we will gather back for a celebration service (around 1:00 pm) and report on what God provided, as well as talk about the three phases of our church’s future. Then, we’ll conclude with a baptism service and remember through that ordinance what this is all about.

All glory to GOD!

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Happy anniversary, church. Stay faithful.

-Pastor Ryan

I’ve been thinking, praying, and talking about being debt free for a couple of years, and next week is our “Be Debt Free” offering to celebrate our 39th anniversary! I am so excited to go into our 40th year of ministry here in Temecula, and to minister without a mortgage would be incredible.

We minister for souls to be saved, baptized, and trained in the Scriptures, and being debt free will only enhance that. Our staff works tirelessly, and being debt free will allow us to help them closer to a southern California living wage.

Today’s emphasis (see the next pages) is on the long-term stability that can come from being debt free. Depending on how God blesses, I’ve got plenty of vision for the future of our church. Every gift given to the Lord has a plan, from $10 to $10M, and our first major project will be an exterior update. Our sign and landscaping need a refresh, our paint and lighting need some love, and the newest parts of our building are 20 years old. That means AC units are on the verge, interior flooring is worn out, the parking lot concrete is cracked… everything requires money, and Phase One is about fixing and updating stuff. Phase Two includes some big dreams too, but first things first.

I’m sure David was super excited for the offering he took for the temple, but I think I’m just as excited! Sure, our project is not as grand as his, but it’s no less important. This is the house of God, and we get to be a part of it!

David asked, “Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?”

Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly, and gave for the service of the house of God.

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. (See 1 Chron. 29)

-Pastor Ryan

There’s a special day for everything these days, but our three main secretaries do a lot of work around here, so they deserve to be honored on this day!

MRS. MARICELA ESTACUY.                                                                                                  Mrs. Maricela has a special balance of tenacity and personality. She’s not such a bulldog that she scares people, but she can get things done! She’s perfect for an office like ours—she’s always working on some kind of major print job, but she’s also ready to sit and chat with someone who needs to talk. I love that I can give her anything and know it will be done.

MRS. JAMIE RENCH                                                                                                                  My wife is also my secretary, and our relationship has only deepened through our work at the church together. Whatever event happens around here, Mrs. Jamie has basically single-handedly planned it. Not to take away from anyone else’s planning, but she’s the one that thinks of the details and keeps them on track. She helps me keep up with people, and she’s just really, really good at being a secretary. Not every pastor and wife could work together, but for us, it is great. She’s the best.

MRS. SHAE ROBERTS                                                                                                                Mrs. Shae has hit her stride. She now has one entire calendar year under her belt, and she’s constantly refining our finances to show where every dollar is going. It is incredible work, and here’s the greatest miracle of all… she actually loves it! She also does our photography and social media, and I appreciate how things just run so smoothly without me ever having to push and prod. She has only enhanced our ministry since moving here, and I am so grateful.

Honorable mention: Mrs. Chris Rangel                                                                                Mrs. Rangel still keeps records as our church clerk, and tracks the contributions every week. On paper she may only do a few hours per week, but who she is to our church is incalculable. I am so thankful for her continued contribution.

Church, thank these wonderful ladies for all their fine work behind the scenes. They’ve done far more than you (or I) will ever realize. I will give them a gift from the church, but I encourage you to use your words, write a little note, or send a little text to them. I know they’re more like “my” administrative assistants, but, really, they’re serving you. And they’re serving so well. God bless ’em!

–Pastor Ryan

For our “Be Debt Free” Sunday coming up in a couple of weeks, the only kind of giving that pleases God is that which is from the heart. I’d go so far as to say that if you can’t give it biblically… don’t! This isn’t about the money. God’s got plenty.

Instead, it’s about getting in on God’s blessings! The Andrades said that so well in the video last week. Tithes and offerings are not really a sacrifice at all… it is a blessing to give! Spirit-filled giving is not giving to get from God. He’s not a vending machine.

But you know what? He sure does bless. We have been talking about this “Be Debt Free” offering since the end of last year, and God has blessed me in one particular area right down to the month when we committed to give. We’ve had a little side income going steady for over 10 years, but when we committed in December to lay funds aside to give, that month doubled. And January too. February and March tripled.

Skeptics call it coincidence. I call it God.

Lets get in on what God wants to do. God is at work. Souls are being saved. People are being baptized and discipled and trained in the Word of God. We are not perfect, but we are active about obeying the Great Commission, and we are trying to help people.

This is the work of God.

Thank you, church, for serving Him from your heart.

-Pastor Ryan

On Sunday we unveiled the “BE DEBT FREE SUNDAY” board, and already $55k is committed toward our $200k debt. Glory to God!

My kids are even getting in on this blessing. The girls went door to door with the neighborhood girls and extorted asked people if they wanted homemade lemonade. After a couple times of doing that, they made over $80 and split it up among themselves! From that, our girls gave about $20 for the paper chain going down the kids’ wing hallway! What a blessing! My son is mowing lawns and giving from that, too.

It’s a blessing to give. Since committing to this offering at the beginning of the year, God has blessed our family TRIPLE in an area that has been the same for over 10 years. Skeptics will call it coincidence, but literally the month that we committed to this offering is the same month that the increase started. I call that God’s blessing!

It is an honor to be a part of God’s great work.

–Pastor Ryan