The Walls of USC!

In the narrative of the "Fall of Jericho" in Joshua 6, it talks about how Joshua and the people marched around the city of Jericho everyday for six days until the seventh day when they walked around seven times and then shouted causing the walls to collapse, giving the city over to the people. What must they have thought doing this and thinking that the hard, stone walls of this city would fall simply from such things as walking as shouting. It was all beautiful faith...

So last week (Jan. 20th-26th), Cy, Gina, Alex R. and I walked around USC everyday at 6:30 and prayed. (It takes 40 minutes to walk around the campus). It was a great time of bonding, of getting close to God, of sacrifice (who needs sleep), and putting our faith into action- praying for those on campus who are open and seeking God.

Here are some of the things we prayed about on our walks:

• What we are grateful for
• The people we've met who are learning about the Bible and God
• Overcoming our distractions
• What we are tempted with
• What we need to work on and confess
• Our relationships with one another
• Our whole ministry family (yeah everyone!)
• Those who give us direction and guidance in our walks with God
• Each other
• And our visions for the ministry at USC!

It was an awesome experience, and though we forgot to SHOUT after the seventh walk (Ahhhhhhh!... There we go...), God is still working and doing amazing things at USC.

Amen and Fight On!

LA Campus Valentine's Day Party

ICMC / 2009 / LOS ANGELES

The Justins

Felix & Jill will be moving up to Santa Clarita next week. They have been hired by the North region to lead the teen ministry there. We are so proud of what God has done with them over the years of spiritual growth they've had here in the Central. This last year presented the deepest pain and most severe obstacles they've ever faced in their journeys as disciples. However hard Satan tried, they stood firm and refined by trial and pain. Like Job, they've gone the gamut emotionally but have held on to the promises of the Word. We send them off with the confidence of God's will, the joy of our friendship and the hope of much fruit in the years to come!

Join us for the Jill & Felix Farewell Shindig at the Markowskis. info in flyer below

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You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Cal State Adds Kraig to the Campus Ministry

Faith That Overcomes

Gina Erazo

Faith is fundamental and highly valued in our daily walk with God. But not just any kind of faith, God requires us to have faith that trusts completely since he is in control of every aspect of our lives.

Genesis 15:1-6
It is easy to jump to conclusions and “think” that we know what God is trying to do in our lives. Most of the time we are wrong and find ourselves humbled by God because his plans are much greater than ours. Abram thought that a servant in his household was going to be his heir. God’s plan was much greater! God promised him something outrageous and impossible. Without asking questions, Abram trusted and believed. God directed his life from then on.

Proverbs 3:5-6
So many times we fail to think that the decisions we make are right. Let’s not try to take things into our hands but let God work powerfully instead. If we trust him wholeheartedly, God will direct us in the way we should go. Let us simply focus on following his Words!

Romans 4: 18-21
Let’s imitate Abraham’s faith!

Hebrews 11:1-2
Faith is to believe in something that seems impossible. God will call us to do things that make no sense and seem “sometimes” ridiculous. He does this to show his presence and power. He is the one that works to make things happen. Nothing is impossible with God (Ephesians 3:20).

A year and a half ago, I was searching for a summer internship to get experience in my field. All my classmates would spend so much time online looking for opportunities and I felt I had to do the same causing me to become very anxious. I was tempted to always fill up my free time hunting for internship opportunities. As I was praying one day, I decided to stop searching and instead just spend my time sharing my faith and helping the women in my ministry. Two weeks later I found Engineers Without Borders (EWB), an organization on campus in which students work to restore communities in developing countries. I was able to help my native country Honduras and got a lot of engineering experience too! One month later, my professor gave me a flyer with a summer internship opportunity that described exactly what I wanted to do. Without much effort, I applied and got it! God is amazing!! All I needed was FAITH!

What kind of faith do you have?
Do you trust God will works things out or do you rush to make decisions based on your own thinking?

God will direct you through prayer, scriptures and advice from wise people. Seek God’s will and be faithful.

Challenge: Search your heart and find out in what areas of your life you are not trusting God. Devote yourself to pray about it everyday and let God work—at his own timing.

“Flood” by Jars of Clay is a song about God lifting us up through the rough times in life. Follow the link to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grJR-7FkoWc&feature=related.

~~ And like Bon Jovi said: “Keep the Faith!”

January Calendar